Gasperini delighted by ´beauiful´ surprise

New Inter Milan boss Gian Piero Gasperini admits he was surprised to be given the chance to lead the Serie A giants.

The former Genoa boss was revealed as the club’s new coach on a two-year deal on Friday after Leonardo left the San Siro, reportedly to join French outfit Paris Saint-Germain as sporting director.

Gasperini, who was sacked by Genoa in November, said he was thrilled to take on a role the likes of recently-appointed Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, England coach Fabio Capello and Guus Hiddink had been linked to.

“I am delighted. I can’t wait to start and to get to work,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, the first time he had spoken publicly since his appointment.

“The players are all on holiday now so I will still have to wait a little bit. We want to have a good season.”

“What can I promise? All the best. Has the appointment been a surprise? A beautiful one.”

Gasperini was due to be unveiled on Tuesday, but that could be delayed due to legal complications regarding his contract.

The 53-year-old said praise from president Massimo Moratti, who described him as an ‘excellent trainer’ in Il Corriere dello Sport, only made him more motivated.

“What do I think about president Moratti’s praise for me in the pages of one of the sports papers? It motivates me even more to have a successful season, which is what I intent to do by creating a very close-knit and strong group,” Gasperini told the Inter Channel.

“But the foundations with those characteristics are already in place.”

The Italian had led Juventus’ youth team, Crotone and Genoa before joining Inter, who finished second in the Serie A last season.