Leonardo relishing challenge

Newly-appointed Inter coach Leonardo is looking forward to the challenge of reviving the European champions.

The Brazilian, who managed city rivals Milan last season and spent much of his playing career with the Rossoneri, was unveiled by Inter yesterday, following the departure of Rafael Benitez.

Leonardo, who was confirmed as the Nerazzurri’s new manager on Christmas Eve, told a press conference: “Inter is a powerful, fascinating and unexpected challenge.

“I arrive here at one of the biggest clubs in the world, in the most important year of its history, the year in which the team won everything.

“Inter is now a reality, the most important reality. I was looking for a dream, a big motivation, a great challenge. At the moment there is no challenge greater than Inter.”

President Massimo Moratti is pleased with his choice.

He said: “Leonardo forced me to be here today – to be honest it is the first time someone has asked me to be here. You can see that I’m very pleased with the choice.

“It is a choice that developed from the sense of respect I have always had for him, and the sense of respect everyone who has ever known him has for his ability to learn quickly, and to transmit affection and efficiency.

“That doesn’t mean we will rush the new coach or put pressure on him.”

Inter are currently seventh in Serie A, 13 points behind pacesetters Milan and Moratti has promised new faces in a bid to revive their quest for trophies.

He continued: “I am convinced ours is a very strong group, and they have shown that recently.

“Whether new signings will be completed or not remains to be seen, but we will certainly be careful, and with the help of (director) Marco Branca we will make sure that those transfers happen, be it players joining or leaving the club in January.

“Undoubtedly, Leonardo has had valuable experience, of managing and understanding the club system, the team system, and therefore he has had an idea of the economics at a club.

“We will do very well from a footballing perspective, but we must try to do very well from the economic perspective as well.

“I do not want to take away any enthusiasm with this, because enthusiasm is what a club thrives on and what I thrive on, too.”