Samp end Rafa interest

Rafael Benitez: Targeted by Sampdoria but will not be their new boss

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will not be the new Sampdoria boss after negotiations broke down on Wednesday.

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

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.

But the club's pursuit of the Spanish coach has now ended.

"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 official website read.

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