Inter Milan name Gasperini as Leonardo's successor

24 June 2011 17:00

Inter Milan have appointed former Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini to succeed Paris Saint-Germain-bound Leonardo as coach, the Serie A side announced on Friday.

The 53-year-old Gasperini takes over the Inter hotseat on a two-year contract.

"The official announcement will be made once all the final administrative formalities have been completed," Inter confirmed on their website.

Leonardo's departure paves the way for the Brazilian to take over at PSG, the French side now under the control of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

Inter president Massimo Moratti expressed his "complete satisfaction" at Gasperini's arrival and wished the new manager well.

Gasperini has been out of work since getting the sack from Genoa in December 2010 after four years at the club.

He gets the San Siro post ahead of a list of candidates fronted by Chile's former Argentina manager Marcelo Bielsa.

For 41-year-old Leonardo, this spells the end of a six-month reign. He joined inter in December having cut his managerial teeth with Inter's city rivals, AC Milan.

Leonardo is due to be offered the post of sporting director at PSG, one of the clubs he used to play for.

He reportedly flew to Qatar last weekend to meet the French capital side's new owners.

Source: AFP