Rafael Benitez quashes rumours involving Manchester City: 'I have not had contacts'

Don't expect to see Napoli manager Rafael Benitez at the Etihad Stadium next season.

With reports claiming that Benitez will leave the Stadio San Paolo at the end of the campaign, Rafa is inevitably being linked with a move to Manchester City, where Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly in hot water as the club are struggling to secure a Champions League berth.

On Wednesday, however, Benitez downplayed the speculation and insisted that no discussions have been held between City and himself.

"I have not had contacts with City, unlike what I've read in England," Pellegrini said, according to the Guardian. "I have spoken to the (Napoli) president via messages but we have not been able to meet due to our busy playing schedule in order to evaluate the business plan. Now our focus is on matters on the pitch."

The busy playing schedule Benitez speaks of is due to Napoli's success in a number of competitions. They're in the midst of taking on VfL Wolfsburg in the quarterfinals of the Europa League and were only recently eliminated from the Coppa Italia after falling 2-1 on aggregate to Lazio in the semifinals.