Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists Rafa Benitez was always his first-choice to succeed Jose Mourinho.

Moratti has reiterated that the Spaniard was always their first choice to take over the mantle at the European champions following Mourinho's departure to Real Madrid.

"Benitez was the underlying choice, the one we chose first, then after we had others who came in and offered themselves, but he was always the person we thought was best suited to this situation," said the Inter chief.

"We chose him because we think he can guarantee our future, I hope this happens.

"From a human point of view he seems to me to be a substantial person, he has different characteristics to Mourinho but that is also important because as I said right from the beginning I didn't want a Mourinho imitator but I wanted someone who would have their own characteristics, their own personality, and he has that.

"He is a very serious person, a great worker, which was the main thing, and moreover he has a good experience of European football. Our choice is prudent, it's careful, and we hope that destiny proves us right."