Inter Had No Interest In Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola

Inter CEO Paolillo claims there were no plans to bring in Barcelona's Guardiola, who has signed an extension in Spain.
Inter were never on a crusade for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, claims CEO Ernesto Paolillo.

Guardiola and Barcelona have confirmed plans to extend their deal until 2012, and Paolillo is at pains to stress there was no intent to axe Leonardo for the former Brescia midfielder.

"He is not an object of desire for Inter. We are happy for him, but we have Leonardo who we will hold onto tightly," Paolillo told Repubblica Radio TV.

The Nerazzurri have come under fire from former coach Rafael Benitez, who blamed the club for not spending.

Paolillo discussed the reasons behind Inter's slow but profound changes which have transformed their Calcio landscape.

"We were obliged to sign Andrea Ranocchia following Walter Samuel's injury, and Giampaolo Pazzini was a real deal for us," he added.

"The transfers we made in January were to anticipate the summer market. Last summer we kept the same team as a recognition for what they had won."