Benitez reacts angrily to Mourinho’s taunts

LONDON - Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez has reacted angrily to taunts of his predecessor Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, who now coaches Real Madrid, claimed the Spaniard was lucky to inherit such a good side.

In Benitez’s first competitive game as Inter Milan coach, he won the Italian Super Cup and, tonight, can make it two trophies with the European Super Cup, The Sun reports.

Benitez said: “I’m surprised Mourinho has spoken, as normally he doesn’t speak, he talks about nothing. He’s not here any more, but if everything was so perfect, why did he leave?”

“It’s clear to everyone that this is a good team, and it was too when he arrived at Inter,” Benitez added.

Mourinho also said that Ben�tez’s six-year reign at Anfield ensured that Liverpool FC went into decline.

Mourinho was commenting after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at Eastlands on Monday.

Monday’s defeat against City highlighted the challenge that present coach Roy Hodgson has taken on at Anfield.

The Telegraph quoted Mourinho, as saying: “It is very difficult work for Roy to do it with Liverpool as, over the last years, they have been getting worse, worse and worse. The Liverpool of 2004 was better than the Liverpool of 2005, 2005 was better than 2006 and 2006 better than 2007.”

“He (Hodgson) needs time and it’s not easy because I don’t think they went in the right direction,” Mourinho added. (ANI)