Inter Milan's Leonardo: Can His Italian Connections Take PSG to New Heights?

Great players do not always make great coaches. The adjustment from getting it done on the field to instilling that instinct on others is not an easy one.

Brazilian Leonardo is another in the list of great players who find it hard to meet the higher expectations attached to a legend when they join the coaching ranks. Leonardo is not a bad coach by any means, and if he decides to continue on the sidelines, history may view him as above average when he is done. The talk about his coaching may be a moot point if PSG convinces the former World Cup winner to join them as Director of Football.

Inter President Massimo Moratti has already mentioned the possibility of Leonardo’s exit, and has admitted to contact between Inter and Marcelo Bielsa. Moratti also stated coaching is not part of Leonardo’s long term goals. Change of coaches at the San Siro would not be a cause for concern, as many felt Leonardo should be let go even after leading Inter to a second-place finish in Serie A. Bielsa is an accomplished coach who would keep them at the top of Serie A.

In my opinion, taking the Director of Football role would be a win–win situation for PSG and Leonardo. Leonardo knows the game. He enjoyed a long career going from Brazil to stops in Japan, France (at PSG), and Italy. He has spent time in the front office at AC Milan, as well as having coached there for one season. His resume includes playing with some of the best of his generation.

His relationship to players and management in Serie A is an open door towards future player acquisitions if he takes the role at PSG. PSG has always been a potential stopping point in Brazilian players’ careers. Having Leonardo on board would also further those opportunities.

Leonardo believes in an attacking style, and his decisions at PSG would reflect that. Attacking styles help sell tickets, jerseys, and sponsorships. With the financial backing of Qatar Sports Investments, Leonardo would have an open checkbook to bring in the players and staff to create an exciting brand of futbol. With the likes of Nene, Gameiro and Sakho already in place, Leonardo could help PSG build into a European power.

For PSG, everything is beginning to come together. Leonardo is just another piece to the puzzle the new ownership had in mind when they invested in PSG. His experience and connections will be invaluable in the job, and would definitely lead to big time rumors. Could he swing a future deal to bring Eto, or maybe Pato? His connections with players like these will definitely have the rumor mill buzzing, if he trades Italy for Paris.