Inter have confirmed Leonardo as Rafael Benitez's replacement, giving the Brazilian a one-and-a-half-year contract as their new manager.

Speculation had linked the former Milan coach with the position even before Benitez officially parted company with the European champions yesterday, and the Nerazzurri have now officially confirmed his appointment.

The 41-year-old, who had one season in charge of Milan during the 2009/10 campaign, will officially start work with the Serie A champions on Wednesday.

A statement on the club's official website, www.inter.it, read: "Welcome to Leonardo. It will be the Brazilian coach to lead the team from December 29.

"Leonardo has a contract that will bind him to Inter until 30 June 2012.

"For Leonardo, the most sincere and good luck, we believe that he has the class and experience of a champion and his mentality will get the team together to get results."

Club president Massimo Moratti had insisted earlier today that he would not be naming Benitez's successor until after Christmas, but has now reneged on that to appoint the former World Cup winner.

Leonardo takes over a side that are in seventh place in Serie A, 13 points behind leaders Milan.

Apart from attempting to bridge that gap, one of his primary tasks will be attempting to retain the Champions League when the competition resumes in February.

Inter must overcome Bayern Munich over two legs if they are to stand a chance of keeping the trophy they won when Jose Mourinho's side beat the Germans in May.

Benitez's six-month stay at the San Siro was officially ended yesterday.

Despite lifting the Italian Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during that time, the Spaniard had struggled to adapt to life as the popular Mourinho's successor, and seemed to issue Moratti with an ultimatum over transfer funds earlier this week.

That led to the breakdown of his relationship with Moratti, who, after Benitez left the club, was quoted as saying: "I'm sorry the relationship with Benitez is over, but the split had now become inevitable."

Leonardo's first meeting with his former employers is scheduled to take place on April 3.

Yesterday, Milan's vice president, Adriano Galliani, admitted it would be strange to see Leonardo in blue and black.

"I do not know what my reaction would be," he said.

"He certainly has an important history with Milan. He made a career with AC Milan; first as a player, then as a coach and a manager."

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