Brazil's Leonardo named Inter Milan boss

AFP - Brazilian coach Leonardo was on Friday named as the new boss of European champions Inter Milan, taking over from the sacked Rafael Benitez.
             
"Leonardo has just signed a contract with Inter until June 30, 2012," said a statement on the club's official website.
             
"Everybody at Inter wishes to welcome Leonardo. He will take charge from December 29 when training resumes."
             
The 41-year-old Leonardo, who played in Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad, becomes the first man to coach both Milan clubs having been appointed AC Milan boss in May 2009, as successor to Chelsea-bound Carlo Ancelotti.
             
Inter sacked Benitez - who had only been in charge since the summer when he succeeded Jose Mourinho - on Thursday just days after the former Liverpool boss had guided them to the World Club Cup title.
             
Defending league champions Inter are currently seventh in Serie A, 13 points adrift of their bitter city rivals although they do have two games in hand.
             
Leonardo spent 12 years at AC Milan - four as a player, seven as part of the backroom staff and one as coach when he took the club to third place in the championship.
             
As well as attempting to boost Inter's league position, Leonardo also has a last 16 Champions League date against Bayern Munich on February 23 and March 15 in a repeat of last season's final.