New Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini admits a dream opportunity has fallen into his lap following confirmation he will take charge of i Nerazzurri next season. Sacked in November by Genoa, a club he had led for four years, Gasperini was last week targeted by Inter as a successor to Leonardo, who is set to become the sporting director at Paris St Germain.

"I am delighted," said Gasperini to Gazzetta dello Sport. "I can't wait to start and to get to work. The players are all on holiday now so I still will have to wait a little bit. We want to have a good season. What can I promise? All the best. Has the appointment been a surprise? A beautiful one."

Gasperini is set to be unveiled later this week with his contract yet to be finalised due to legal complications. The 53-year-old will become Inter's fourth coach in a year following the departure of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, the dismissal of Rafael Benitez back in December and Leonardo's imminent move to PSG.

Gasperini has previously only managed Genoa and Serie B outfit Crotone as well as the Juventus' youth team.