Stankovic backs Benitez to succeed at Inter
Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic has backed new manager Rafael Benitez to win trophies for the Italian team, so long as he is given time to settle in at the club.
Benitez took charge of Inter this summer after managing Premier League side Liverpool for six seasons, where the Spaniard won the Champions League, the FA CUP, the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield.
But even with that strong track record as a manager, Benitez will struggle to surpass former manager Jose Mourinho's achievements at Inter. The Portuguese manager led the club to a historic treble last year, winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia trophies.
Speaking to Supersport ahead of Inter's trip to face FC Twente in the Champions League on Tuesday, Stankovic praised Mourinho's attitude while at the club.
"[Mourinho] really is the 'Special One', even when you are dead on your feet he gets you to give 130 per cent. He was on the bench but it felt like he was on the pitch," the Serbian said.
But despite his astronomical achievements with Inter, even Mourinho needed one season to settle in before the club could challenge in Europe. In the 2008-2009 season, Inter's only trophy was the domestic league title.
Team to adapt to Benitez
Winning the Serie A will be no easy feat for Benitez, as was shown by Inter's narrow 2–1 victory over Udinese this weekend, but Stankovic said the Spaniard can deliver if shown some patience by his new club.
"Benitez is hungry for success and we have to accept his way of working. We are on the right track but just like Mourinho in [Real] Madrid, he needs time."
The 32-year-old also added that his team has already shown the qualities of a league-winning side after managing to grind out a victory from a poor performance on Saturday.
"We're a great team and we have to be aiming for another treble. It is important to win when you're not playing well which is what happened against Udinese," Stankovic said.
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