Inter to name new manager shortly

Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas has been ruled out of taking over at Inter Milan, but the club expect to announce their new manager soon.

It remains unclear as to who will be appointed to replace Leonardo after former player Sinisa Mihajlovic also pulled out of the race.

But Ernesto Paolillo said on Sunday an announcement from the Serie A giants was not far away.

“We will give the announcement at the right moment. There is no tension, worry or confusion,” he told the club’s website.

“We are calm in approaching important decisions that will be taken soon. We are professional and therefore won’t name names now, so we’ll let others do that and be very careful not to follow suit.”

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

Inter Milan technical director Marco Branca revealed Villas-Boas would not be the club’s new manager.

“It is only right for me to point out something that has been whipped up by understandable media speculation,” he told ANSA news agency.

“All told, for some time everyone in the football world has well known the bond between Villas-Boas and Porto.”

“He has a contract with a high buy-out clause, though that is not the only reason he is excluded from the list of candidates for the Inter bench.”

Meanwhile, Fiorentina boss Mihajlovic, who had been favourite for the position, ruled himself out on Saturday.

“Last season, Fiorentina chose me and I chose them, despite having my pick of other opportunities,” he told the club’s website.

“I am glad I took that decision, which allowed me to work with a club containing many competent and serious people. I hope to continue to do this job for many years to come.”