The Liverpool manager remains the Italian club's preferred choice to lead them from this summer, as has been the case since they sacked Ciro Ferrara and installed Zaccheroni as a stop-gap appointment in January, when Ben’tez was reluctant to walk away from his lucrative Anfield contract mid-season. Juventus still believe they can entice the Spaniard to Turin, however, but want assurances of his interest as they plan for a new era that will include increased transfer spending this summer and, in the 2011-12 season, a new 41,000-capacity stadium.
Reports in Italy have claimed Ben’tez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, met the Juventus president, Jean-Claude Blanc, in Milan this week to discuss the compensation owing to his client should he quit Anfield. While this is incorrect, Juventus do want an answer from Ben’tez on whether he wishes to feature on their managerial shortlist for this summer. Other candidates are believed to include the current Brazil coach, Dunga, and the Cagliari coach, Massimiliano Allegri.
