Luciano Spalletti could yet stay on as Inter coach beyond the end of the current season, according to Tuttosport.

Spalletti is expected by the vast majority of Italian media outlets to leave in the summer, with most naming former Juventus boss Antonio Conte as the favourite to replace him.

However, the Turin-based publication reported on Friday that securing Champions League qualification for the second year running might be enough for Spalletti to keep his job after all.

Inter are reluctant to sack Spalletti unless it is deemed absolutely necessary because it would cost them around €20 million, thus reducing their budget for the upcoming summer transfer window.

They are also undecided on whether Spalletti really has taken Inter as far as he can, seeing in him a coach capable of building a team with a winning mentality, just like Conte.

Inter were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage in December before losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 16 of the Europa League, however Spalletti has mitigating circumstances in both instances.

Inter fared far better in their group than most had anticipated when the draw was made, only losing out in the final match against PSV Eindhoven, while their Europa League exit was heavily influenced by an epidemic of injuries and suspensions.