Inter appoint Leonardo

Last season's AC Milan coach Leonardo has been named manager of city rivals Internazionale in a move which has stunned football-mad Italy.

The Brazilian succeeds Rafael Benitez, who left the world, European and Italian champions on Thursday after just six months in charge following a poor spell and his public attack on Inter for not investing in new players.

Leonardo, who is contracted until 2012, failed to shine in his only season in management with AC Milan last term, leading the Rossoneri to third in Serie A and the Champions League last 16.

The 41-year-old also played for AC Milan and has no prior links to Inter. The appointment baffled Tweeters and newspaper columnists. "Unbelievable", "traitor" and "downright weird" were just some of the terms used on Twitter to describe the move.