Ranieri gets Inter job

22 September 2011 12:05

Inter Milan have confirmed the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as coach on a deal until June 2013.

Former Valencia, Chelsea and Roma boss Ranieri succeeds Gian Piero Gasperini, who was sacked on Wednesday after a short, unsuccessful spell in charge. Ranieri's first game will be on Saturday at Bologna.

A statement from the club read: "Claudio Ranieri is officially the new coach of Inter. Ranieri has signed a contract with Inter until June 30, 2013."

It added: "All of Inter has the pleasure of welcoming Claudio Ranieri and his staff. Ranieri will guide Thursday's training session and will be unveiled on Friday to the press."

Inter sacked Gasperini after Tuesday's shocking 3-1 defeat at newly-promoted Novara - the team's fourth loss in five games this season. Ranieri, 59, becomes Inter's fifth coach in the past 15 months.

Gasperini was appointed in June after Leonardo elected to leave the Nerazzurri and become the sporting director at Paris St Germain. Leonardo had replaced Rafael Benitez in December. Spaniard Benitez had been brought in six months earlier following the departure of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

Ranieri had been out of a job since leaving Roma earlier this year.

News of Ranieri's appointment had been widely expected after he gave an interview vowing to "wake up the team".

Ranieri told Domenica Sportiva: "Inter are a great team. They have had a bad start to the season and I will have to talk to the team to understand why that was. I will have to bring enthusiasm and a change of gear in order to wake up the team.

"I cannot promise that we will win this or that but I believe this team has a lot to give and we must prove it."

Source: PA