Ljs: Internazionale name Gian Piero Gasperini as successor to Leonardo

Friday, June 24, 2011

Internazionale name Gian Piero Gasperini as successor to Leonardo

? Former Genoa manager set to sign two-year contract
? Leonardo is leaving club to join Paris St-Germain

Internazionale have confirmed that Gian Piero Gasperini will be their new manager, replacing Leonardo.

The 53-year-old is yet to complete the final details of a two-year deal, but Internazionale have confirmed speculation that he will assume the role. Leonardo only joined the club in December, but is now set to become the new sporting director at Paris St-Germain.

A statement from Internazionale read: "Gian Piero Gasperini will become Inter's new manager. The official announcement will be made once all the final bureaucratic formalities are completed. Once this is done, the date of Gasperini's unveiling will be given. Gasperini will sign a two-year contract."

The club's president Massimo Moratti, who is abroad on business, welcomed Gasperini's selection. "I am fully satisfied with the choice. I wish Gasperini all the success that has taken Inter to become Club World champions."

Gasperini will become the club's fourth manager in a year, following the departure of Jos� Mourinho to Real Madrid, the dismissal of Rafael Ben�tez in December and Leonardo's imminent move.

Gasperini led Genoa to promotion from the second division in 2007 and qualification for the Europa League with a fifth-place finish in Serie A in 2009. He was sacked in November.

Gasperini was one of several candidates targeted by the club. The Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa turned down the move, while Sinisa Mihajlovic opted to remain at Fiorentina.

Inter had also considered the former Porto coach Andr� Villas-Boas before he chose Chelsea.

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