Sampdoria ends interest in Benitez

Sampdoria's bid to appoint Rafael Benitez as manager has failed after negotiations broke down on Wednesday.

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The newly-promoted Serie A club revealed talks had ended "with mutual regret" after meeting with the former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss in London this week.

"Following discussions held recently in London and subsequent contacts between UC Sampdoria and Mr Rafael Benitez, with mutual regret, the club and the Spanish manager agreed that the time for collaboration was not right," a statement on the club's website read.

Owner Riccardo Garrone revealed earlier this week that he had been chasing Benitez, out of work since leaving Inter in December 2010, despite coach Giuseppe Iachini still having a year to run on his deal.

Iachini took over the Genoa outfit last November and led the team to promotion to Serie A via the play-offs last month.