Sampdoria confirms Benitez talks have broken down

The newly-promoted Serie A side has revealed that discussions with the former Inter trainer have ground to a halt after the Spaniard reportedly rejected its offer

Sampdoria has announced that negotiations with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez have broken down.

The recently-promoted Serie A side is currently scouring the market for a new coach as it looks to replace Giuseppe Iachini with a more high-profile name.

Sampdoria had been locked in talks with Benitez, who is currently without a job, but the Spaniard has turned down the offer from the Italian side.

"Following a recent meeting in London and subsequent contacts between Sampdoria and Rafa Benitez, we regret to inform that the Spanish coach thinks that the time for a collaboration is not right," read a statement on the club's website.

Benitez has been out of management since being sacked by Italian giants Inter midway through the 2010-11 campaign. He has enjoyed great success in the past, guiding Valencia to two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup triumph in addition to leading Liverpool to Champions League success.

Following Benitez's rejection, Sampdoria now looks set to turn its attentions to current Marseille boss Didier Deschamps, whose future has been the subject of speculation in France following a poor season with the 1993 Champions League winners.