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Former AC Milan coach Leonardo Araujo will be the new head coach of Serie A champion Internazionale. The announcement was posted on Inter website yesterday, December 24. He’ll replace coach Rafael Benitez, who served Inter for only 6 months because of poor performance of the team under his management.
“We wish Leonardo the very best of luck and are sure that with his class, experience and winning mentality the Club and the team can achieve the results that everyone at Inter and all the Inter fans want to see.”
The 41-year old Brazilian coach is a former midfielder of Brazil national team who played in 1994 FIFA World Cup. Brazil won in that World Cup beating Italy, 3–2, in a penalty shootout. He first joined Brazilian club Flamengo in 1987 and he spent his last year playing under A.C. Milan team. After he resigned with A.C. Milan , he worked as television sports analyst for BBC.
Leonardo had one year managerial experience and that’s when he was employed by A.C. Milan as a head coach from 2009 to 2010. He replaced coach Carlo Ancelotti who left the team to become Chelsea F.C. manager. Because he lacked managerial experience, he had trouble leading the team during his first start of the 2009-2010 Serie A season. Later on, he had gained control of the team’s plays and impressively led the team just like a veteran coach.
Leonardo’s coaching experience with A.C. Milan caught Inter President Massimo Moratti’s interest. His strategies that worked well with A.C. Milan will be a big help for Inter to survive in Serie A.
Leonardo will be leading the team starting December 29 and will end on January 2012. His first match with Inter will be on January 6, 2011 against Napoli, current 2nd-ranked team in the Premier League.
IMAGE SOURCE: REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Topics: A.C. Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, Inter, Inter Milan, Internazionale, Italian Serie A, Italy, Leonardo Araujo, Massimo Moratti, Rafael Benitez, Serie A, Soccer, sports
