Rafael Benitez leaves doubts over Napoli future

Milan: Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has left doubts over his future at the Serie A club after steering the Italian Cup holders into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Benitez`s contract at the Serie A side expires at the end of the season and the Spaniard admitted he has yet to decide whether he will look to extend his stay.

"The club and I both know how things stand," Benitez said following Thursday`s last 16 Cup win over Udinese, which was decided by penalties after the sides finished 2-2 after extra time.

"Basically, I haven`t made any decision yet. I have three months to find out what my future will be."

Former Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea coach Benitez led Napoli to victory in the Italian Cup in his first season in charge and, most recently, triumphed in the Italian Super Cup final over Serie A champions Juventus.

However Napoli failed to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League earlier this season, following their defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the play-offs, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is already said to be looking elsewhere.

Reports in Italy claim Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, whose side has conceded only two defeats this season to climb to fourth place in Serie A, is in line to replace Benitez.

If Napoli fail to lure the former Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter defender to the San Paolo stadium, they could turn to Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

Napoli, who sit joint third in the table with Sampdoria, eight points behind Roma and 13 behind leaders and champions Juventus, host Genoa on Monday.

Benitez will then face his former club, Inter, in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup on February 4.