Leonardo Replaces Rafa Benitez As Coach of FC Inter Milan

After the departure of Rafael Benitez as coach of FC Inter Milan, the club chose Leonardo as coach until June 2012. The statement by the club talks about Leonardo having "class, experience, mentality of a champion, and the ability to get things done".

Leonardo had previous experience as coach for AC Milan and played for the team as well as CR Flamengo, Sao Paolo FC, Valencia CF, Kashima Antlers, and Paris Saint Germain FC. He also played for the Brazilian national team, scoring eight goals within 56 games.

FC Inter Milan will unveil the new coach for the public on the 29th of December 2010, and not a moment too soon. The club is due to face FC Bayern Munchen on the 23rd of February 2011 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy.

It will face the same club on the 15th of March 2011 in Germany. FC Milan finished second place in the UEFA Champions League Group A behind the Tottenham Hotspurs.

The appointment of Leonardo as coach appears to be the end of Rafael Benitez' half year tenure with FC Inter Milan. Benitez replaced Jose Mourinho last summer when Mourinho went to Real Madrid.

After high expectations turned to mixed results, it was decided that Benitez and FC Inter Milan would part by mutual agreement.

It remains to be seen what Leonardo can do in 2011 for FC Inter Milan, in the remaining competitions including the UEFA Champions League.