Inter name Leonardo as new coach

(GSM) – Internazionale has announced the appointment of former Milan boss Leonardo as their new coach on Friday.

The announcement by the European and Italian champions on its website come a day following Rafa Benítez’s contract termination by mutual agreement.

Leonardo, who has managed Inter’s city rivals Milan, has been handed a contract that will run until June 2012.

His first match as the Nerrazzuri coach will be when Inter play against second-place Napoli in the Serie A on January 6.

The club statement read: “We wish Leonardo the very best of luck and are sure that with his class, experience and winning mentality the Club and the team can achieve the results that everyone at Inter and all the Inter fans want to see.”

Leonardo becomes the fifth coach to make the move from Milan to Inter, following Giuseppe Bigogno, Giovanni Trapattoni, Ilario Castagner and Alberto Zaccheroni.