Benitez asked to stay on

Naples - Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has invited Rafa Benitez to remain coach of the southern club.

Benitez's contract is up in June, and the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager has indicated he wants to return to the English Premier League.

De Laurentiis says, "I told him, 'You can stay one more year or five more years, if you're able to convince your family.'"

De Laurentiis adds that Benitez's daughter is going to university in Oxford.

Benitez said recently he wants De Laurentiis to spend more on big players.

After a difficult start to the season, Napoli has advanced to the Europa League, and surged to fourth in Serie A, two points from the Champions League places.

There are reports that Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will replace Benitez if the Spaniard leaves.