Barcelona are still Copa Del Rey favourites despite drawing 0-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night

Luciano Spalletti has pledged his future to Zenit St Petersburg after being linked with Inter.

With Rafa Benitez’s position as manager of the European champions coming under scrutiny, a number of names had been linked with the Serie A club.

Former Roma and Udinese boss Spalletti had emerged as the favourite for the post, but now appears set to stay in Russia.

Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov has held talks with his manager and has been assured by the 51-year-old that he has no plans to walk away.

“Spalletti himself had told us that he would stay at Zenit at least for another season,” Mitrofanov told reporters.

“I think that is more than enough for us to trust him. Spalletti is unique. It would be simply impossible for him to deceive or lie to us about his future plans.”

Barcelona are still Copa Del Rey favourites despite drawing 0-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night

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