Galliani knew Leonardo´s ambitions

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said he always knew departed Inter boss Leonardo did not want to be a coach.

Leonardo called it quits from Inter on Saturday and has been linked to a move to Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain, where he is expected to take on a role as general manager.

Galliani, who helped give Leonardo his first opportunity as a manager with the Serie A champions in 2009, said he was not surprised by his decision to leave Inter.

“I didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly, but I know that Leonardo has always wanted to cover a managing role instead of being a coach,” he said on Monday.

“It had taken me more than three months to convince him to work as a coach. He has always preferred being a manager instead of a coach, but I don’t know if he has changed his mind in the last year.”

Inter said on Sunday they expected to announce their new boss in the coming week, with England manager Fabio Capello speculated as favourite for the job.

Others linked to the vacant role include recently resigned Palermo manager Delio Rossi, Gian Piero Gasperini and former West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola.

Galliani said he did not expect Inter to suffer from the coaching change in their chase for the Serie A crown next season.

“Inter Milan is not in a transition phase, the team is the world champion, therefore we should be calm and we’ll be seeing Inter Milan again in Beijing for the Italian Super Cup,” he said.

The rivals will meet for the cup at the Beijing National Stadium on August 6.