End Of Excuses: Leonardo Replaces Rafa Benitez At Inter Milan

It didn’t take long for Massimo Moratti to eliminate all excuses surrounding Inter Milan. Given all the injuries suffered by the Nerazzurri, falling from their Serie A pedestal is explicable. But the troubles the five-time defending champions have had while healthy, the 13 point gap from the top that’s created, the former manager’s lack of accountability - Inter’s problems have transcended fitness. Thus, Leonardo has been named Rafa Benítez’s replacement, an obvious is head-shaking move.

Not that Leonardo doesn’t fit with Inter. He clearly does, to the extent that it’s hard to argue any other available coach would have been a better fit, but after 13 years on the red and black side of the San Siro, not even today’s announcement can make the fit seem right. When he’s on the sideline January 6, standing next to an eerily similar looking Javier Zanetti, the visage will seem like something from a video game. Ha! This game is crazy! Leonardo is managing Inter!

It’s an appointment that became official Friday, with the Brazilian signed to guide Inter through next season. His start date is Sunday the 26th, giving him 10 days to prepare for his first match. Then, second place Napoli and their three match win streak go to the San Siro, and while that superficially sounds like a tough way to break his Nerazzurri bridle, the Azzurri could make for a perfect debut.

Napoli is one of six teams Inter has to pass if they’re to retain their title. They’re a surprise contender, one not used to going to the San Siro with expectations. Coming off a three match winning streak cooled by the winter break, Napoli could be the right combination credible opponent beatable side. Inter is still the more talented side, so defeating Napoli is well within their means. And if Leonardo can’t deliver three in his debut? Benítez hang over.

Such is the situation Leonardo’s thrust himself into, but coming off a season where he had to fill the shoes of Carlo Ancelotti, 41-year-old Brazilian’s limited experience should serve him well. At Inter, Leonardo’s not only following Benítez but he’s dealing with expectations crafted by José Mourinho, and while he won’t be expected to replicate The Special One’s achievements, he will be expected to be much more José than Rafa. But is that more difficult that following in the shoes of Ancelotti last year, when Leonardo was appointed manager at Milan after Carlo left for Chelsea? Consider the Rossoneri had also sold Kaka to Real Madrid that summer, maintain Milan’s standing near the top of Serie A seems a more difficult task than getting Inter back on track.

From Internazionale’s point of view, it’s hard to imagine a better candidate. Many will point to Leonardo’s lack of experience, having only one year of experience managing. In that year, he guided Milan to third place, with the Rossoneri surprisingly challenging near the top of Serie A for much of the season. A long tenure as player, scout and coach means he knows the league as well as anybody, and if he can bring the same confident stability to Inter that he brought to Milan, a sixth straight title is not out of the question.

Most importantly for Inter, they’ve moved on. They used the winter break to quickly address the Benítez problem. Moratti had a man in mind, acted quickly, and now, within days of returning from Abu Dhabi, the club has a new focus. Whether Leonardo retains the scudetto, this is Inter putting their best foot forward, something they wouldn’t be doing had they retained Benítez.