ROME: Leonardo on Friday crossed the great San Siro divide, the former AC Milan coach being named as the successor to Rafael Benitez as boss of Inter Milan.
The appointment makes him a unique commodity as the first person to have coached both Milan giants. Long on personality, short on managerial experience, Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo was appointed AC Milan manager in May 2009, as successor to Chelsea-bound Carlo Ancelotti still lacking the required managerial badges.
He imposed a characteristic attacking system of play but was barely settling into the job when he and the club parted company at the end of the 2009-2010 season, his last game in charge a 3-0 win over Juventus. Leonardo, who was part of the Milan management before assuming the role of head coach, was in his first job as a coach at a club he served with distinction as a player.
