Leonardo replaces Benitez as Inter Milan coach

LONDON - Inter Milan has appointed former AC Milan manager Leonardo to succeed Rafael Benitez.

Leonardo, who will take up the reins on December 29, has been signed on a one-and-a-half year deal.

“Welcome to Leonardo. The Brazilian will be our new coach to lead the team from December 29. Leonardo has agreed a contract that will keep him at Inter until June 30, 2012,” the Sun quoted an Inter Milan statement, as saying.

“We sincerely wish Leonardo the best of luck and believe that he has the class and experience of a champion and that his mentality will bring the team together to get the results we need,” it added.

Benitez was sacked after six months in the job after asking the Inter board to back him in the transfer market.

The 50-year-old had succeeded Jose Mourinho in the post after the Portuguese coach led Inter to the Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League titles last season before he left to join Real Madrid.

Inter slipped to seventh place in Serie A under Benitez, winning six of 15 league games, and is currently 13 points behind leader AC Milan. (ANI)