How quickly things change in football. Two years ago Milan had arguably the club’s weakest squad of players of the Berlusconi era. Now, the team are the reigning Italian league champions. Despite their old and poor squad of the 2009-10 season, Milan still managed to come third in the league, at one point even threatening to seriously challenge for the Scudetto.
All this took many Milanisti by surprise as many of them feared the worst. Perhaps the team would not qualify for the 2010-2011 Champions League edition, or worse, fail to qualify for Europe altogether. In the end, however, Champions League football was assured relatively easy.
The most remarkable thing about Milan’s 2009-10 campaign, however, was that at what was a critical time, the club took a chance by appointing Leonardo as head coach. The Brazilian had no previous experience at the time and only took on the appointment after much persuading by Andrea Galliani. It was a gamble of sorts and it paid off.
Leonardo rejuvenated Inter these last 6 months, much like he did with Milan, as he built an attractive and attacking team with Ronaldinho as the talisman. Some good results were garnered too. Milan’s four nil destruction of Siena in January of 2010 being one of the standout performances for the club under Leonardo’s tenure.
However, some humiliating defeats in crucial games signaled that Leonardo was a coach who could only take the club so far. Milan were humiliated four goals to nil at Old Trafford under Leo and lost both derbies to hated rivals Inter.
Many argued at the time, yours truly being one of them, that with a stronger side the Brazilian could achieve greater things. Yet, despite an impressive six months with the Nerazzurri where he took them to within fighting distance of the Scudetto, Leonardo was again found wanting in the crucial games that separates the winners from the losers. In the derby against his former employees, Leo’s Inter succumbed limply to a three nil defeat while in the Champions League his team were embarrassed by Schalke at home, conceding five goals to two.
Despite his disappointments when boss of Milan, his departure from the club he once played for was more due to his deteriorating relationship with club supremo Silvio Berlusconi that had deteriorated beyond repair rather than because of the team’s on field displays.
After literally being pushed on to the bench of the Rossoneri and then being asked to vacate just a year later, Leo jumped at the opportunity to take the over the reins at Milan’s hated rivals Inter. Though a qualified decision from the point of view of his own career, it was a betrayal of sorts to the club that first employed him as a player, then as a player and later as a coach over a thirteen year period. While Gattuso’s partaking in the chants by the club’s Ultras at the Stadio Olimpico was a step too far, the former Rangers midfielder justifiably felt aggrieved – like many Milan fans – with Leo’s decision to jump ship as when departing Milan he had made it clear he just did not want to continue coaching.
After betraying the red half of Milan just six months ago, Leo has now betrayed the blue half. Inter had a horror start to their 2010-11 campaign under Rafa Benitez. The team’s Scudetto ambitions had effectively faded completely while they only managed to hang on in the Champions League time enough for things to be changed.
Inter’s club President, Massimo Moratti took the right decision by pushing Benitez out of the club and bringing in a new boss. He turned to Leonardo who he hoped would rejuvenate his side much like he had done with the Rossoneri.
By all accounts, Leonardo’s short six month tenure at Inter will be regarded as a success. He brought the team storming back up the table to finish second and he crowned the season with victory in the Coppa Italia. Certainly, as already noted, Leo’s Inter did display characteristic flaws; the failure to win in big matches and a complete lack of organization in defence being the two most notable.
Nonetheless, despite his shortcomings and the two embarrassing defeats, one to Milan and the other Schalke, there was every reason for Leo to continue as Inter’s head coach. He had done enough to earn his stay and with the club looking to bridge the gap between them and title winning rivals Milan over the summer with some new signings, the Brazilian had much to look forward to. In addition, with another campaign over and with some valuable experience gained, Leo surely would have grown as a coach. Yet, Leonardo has now decided to leave Inter in what can only be seen as another betrayal.
This time of the summer transfer campaign is critical as many players are considering their options. With Leonardo’s exit, not only does the club have to find a worthy replacement, but it hampers the club’s ability to find the right players and keep their key players. Wesley Scneijder has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester, either for the blue or red half, and he may just look more favourably upon such a move as a result of the position Leo has left Inter in.
Leonardo is expected to return to PSG for a technical coaching role and for both the fans of Inter and Milan, it will be a welcome sight to see the back of Brazilian.
You can read more from Frank Tigani on the pages of
SerieAWeekly.com and
World Football Daily
