New Internazionale coach Leonardo hails 'dream' of a job
Posted Thursday, December 30, 2010 by theguardian.com
Leonardo is introduced as the new Internazionale coach, succeeding Rafael Benítez.
The new Internazionale coach Leonardo, who joined the European champions last week after Rafael Benítez's dismissal, said the job was "a dream" after being welcomed like a rock star on Wednesday.
"I'm a romantic," the former Milan coach told his first news conference at Inter's training ground having arrived to wild applause. "I wasn't looking for work, I was looking for a dream and this is the biggest challenge there is."
The Brazilian left Milan in May after his only season in management following a series of disagreements with the club's owner, Silvio Berlusconi.
He has returned to Serie A with Milan's biggest rivals having replaced Benítez but said his acceptance of the role was not the start of a vendetta against the Rossoneri.
"I thank Milan for 13 years together and I will never forget them but now I start a new adventure. I am a free man."
The 41-year-old World Cup winner played for Milan before becoming a scout, technical director and coach, making his switch to their rivals all the more surprising.
However, the clubs have often swapped personnel over the years and the league leaders Milan have stayed largely quiet on the issue given their hopes of silverware this term rely on the former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Inter are bidding for a sixth straight Serie A title but lie seventh at the mid-season break following an injury crisis and loss of confidence under Benítez.
"I still believe in the scudetto. I know 13 points is a lot but the championship still has a long way to run," added Leonardo, whose first game in charge is against Napoli on 6 January at San Siro.
The Inter president Massimo Moratti is prepared for flak from Inter fans if his appointment of a former Milan coach, who guided the Rossoneri to third last season, backfires.
"I am very happy about this appointment, I have always rated him," Moratti said of a man who speaks five languages. "Now let him work without pressure but with all the ambition that we must have as champions of the world. He bears a heavy weight on his shoulders, as I do, for the decision the club have taken."
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