Benitez close to exit as Leonardo starts planning for Inter future

After his attack on Inter president Massimo Morrati after Inter lifted the FIFA Club World Cup last Saturday, it was a clear sign he would be on his way out.

It was unveiled last night that Benitez’s agent is in Milan at the moment having talks with the Inter management to rescind his contract.

The person who is winning the race to take the Inter hot seat is ex-Milan coach Leonardo. It may be strange that the Inter president wants Leonardo on board, but it has been foreseen a while back.

Leonardo was on the cards before Benitez came into the picture when Mourinho left for Real Madrid, but Benitez ended up being the number one choice.

It is reported that Leonardo will sign an 18-month contract with Inter. If the season goes well, he will continue as coach. If not, Leonardo will stay with the team and move to management.

The option of Leonardo for the cost cutting Moratti is a choice that will be easy on his pocket as well. A reported wage of €2 million (plus bonuses) per season is a much cheaper option compared to Spalletti and Capello.

Moratti has always admired Leonardo and stated many time that he always wanted him as a director with his club.

The young coach has proven himself last season with Milan, he took an ageing and unbalanced squad full of injuries with a strict transfer policy to third place.

Leonardo has a daring attacking system of football. His 4-2-1-3 system could see Pandev, Milito and Eto’o unleashed all at once.

The coach has often showed his desire to see football from outside Milan’s colours and a move to Inter could be what he needs.

Leonardo did not leave Milan on good terms as he clashed with Berlusconi on a number of occasions and even was quoted saying “Berlusconi is like Narcissus, he doesn't like anything that isn't in the mirror.”

Leonardo is used to working with limited resources as he showed last season and has a gift to get the players fired up as Moratti has always pointed out. A side full of Brazilians and Argentinean players should not be a problem for Leonardo.

Leonardo is probably the key to Moratti’s next move to get Kaka, another former Milan star.

The move for Kaka might not happen in January, but it is possible it could happen at the end of the season.