Inter chief backs Leonardo

Inter Milan's chief executive has assured Leonardo over his future, but told the Brazilian coach there won't be a spending spree on players in the offseason.

With new Uefa spending controls coming into effect from next season, Inter CEO Ernesto Paolillo told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Serie A side will have to rely on bringing young players into the side.

And Paolillo insisted that Leonardo, who was hired in December to replace Rafa Benitez, will remain in charge next season despite persistent speculation that he could be sacked.

"The man of the future is Leonardo and we will continue with him," Paolillo told the AP in London.

Leonardo made a strong start in the job, but Inter's Champions League title defense was ended by Schalke last week and crosstown rival AC Milan have strengthened their grip on the Serie A lead, with Inter losing two of their last three league games.

Inter's only realistic chance of a title is now the Italian Cup - a year after Jose Mourinho delivered a treble.

"We have had in this last period some difficulties but this is normal," Paolillo said. "Of course we will examine the situation after the season and make plans with the coach."

Transforming the club's fortunes won't be achieved, though, with an offseason of heavy spending.

In a bid to end an era of so-called "financial doping," clubs wanting to play in the Champions League or Europa League are required to stop spending more than they earn, starting from next season.

"We will follow the new rules with financial fair play, we will spend what we are able to spend that's all, not crazy things," Paolillo said. "Maybe it will have to be that we add young players to the team. We have a lot of developmental players in our academy. It's time to play with them."