Massimo Moratti told reporters the appointment of Leonardo as Inter coach was not intended to irritate city rivals Milan. Inter decided to part with Rafael Benitez last Thursday after only six months in charge.
“I thought it was nice for the fans to spend Christmas knowing the name of their coach. I have respected Leonardo for many years. Last season he showed at Milan that he is also a great coach who can do excellent work,” Moratti said.
Milan were understandably shocked by the move.
“We did not choose Leonardo to irritate Milan... we chose him because he can achieve great things with Inter,” Moratti said.
Ljungberg would relish Celtic switch
Freddie Ljungberg has declared himself ready to play in Sunday’s Old Firm derby after arriving in Glasgow to link up with Celtic. The former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder will train with Celtic this week with a view to a January move.
The Swede, 33, is keen to play in Europe again following a spell in the US. And he could tie up a Parkhead switch in time to be involved in Sunday’s clash at Ibrox.
Ljungberg said: “I’ve seen the Old Firm derby on television and I’ve had friends who have been over to the games. They have said some amazing things about the fixture so of course I would like to play in it.
“I’m available to play on January 1 so we’ll see what happens.”
Snow damages Schalke stadium
Heavy snowfall over the Christmas period has damaged the roof of the Arena AufSchalke.
The annual biathlon World Team Challenge, scheduled to be staged inside Schalke’s stadium on Thursday, has had to be postponed due to safety issues after a 1,000 square metre hole appeared in the roof on Christmas Eve.
Schalke’s first Bundesliga match of 2011 against Hamburg on January 15 should not be at risk, although the likelihood is the roof will have to remain open, irrespective of the weather conditions.
“The holes are not going to be closed in time,” Schalke chairman Peter Peters said. “The safety of the spectators is the utmost priority.”
Ancelotti mulling January buy
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he will try to sign a new defender if Alex fails to recover from knee surgery before the end of next month. Brazil international Alex was ruled out for up to eight weeks after going under the knife at the start of the month.
Ancelotti last year famously vowed to run around the club’s training ground if he signed a player in January but he was not willing to make the same promise 12 months on.
“If I have to bet, I can bet the opposite,” he said.
“Until the 31st of January, if we are sure that Alex will have resolved his problem, we won’t need another defender.”
Bellamy gives up Wales captaincy
Craig Bellamy has decided to give up the captaincy of Wales as he cannot guarantee playing in every game. The Cardiff striker revealed his decision after scoring in his side’s 2-0 win over Coventry on Monday.
Bellamy has to restrict the number of games he plays due to ongoing knee problems and has already informed new Wales boss Gary Speed.
“I’ve made Gary aware of my decision,” Bellamy told reporters.
“I’m not going to be able to play every game for Wales so I feel it would be best to give the armband to someone who will be there for every game.
“I feel, with the young squad we have, it would be best.”
Mutu not joining Galatasaray
The agent of Adrian Mutu has denied rumours that the Fiorentina striker is bound to leave the Italian Serie A next month for a move to Turkey and Galatasaray.
“A transfer to Turkey is out of the question,” Victor Becali was quoted as saying.
“There has been no interest from Galatasaray.”
The Christmas break has been filled with speculation that Mutu has already played his last game in a Fiorentina shirt and some sources suggested a move to Galatasaray was on.
“Adrian has a contract with Fiorentina and commitments towards his club,” Becali added.
“If in future he receives some offers, then we will see what is to be done.”
Ferguson shrugs off Rooney drought
Alex Ferguson insists he is unconcerned about Wayne Rooney’s goal drought, believing the Man. United striker is close to once again becoming the country’s deadliest scorer.
Rooney has not scored for United in open play since netting against Bayern Munich in March, but Ferguson was delighted with the England forward’s overall contribution in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford.
“Wayne had a couple of tries. He was very unlucky with the chip and there were a couple of shots saved by the goalkeeper,” Ferguson said.
“He is getting there. The important thing is he is playing well. That is refreshing.”