Spalletti to coach Inter as Fiorentina gets Pioli
Former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said Tuesday he has agreed to take over at Inter Milan as he flew to China to meet the Serie A club's owners ahead of his imminent appointment.
Spalletti, who led Roma to runners-up spot behind Juventus in Serie A last week, is expected to be officially named as the successor to sacked Stefano Pioli in the coming days.
The 58-year-old Italian told media at Milan's Malpensa airport he had "shaken hands" on a deal with Inter and would soon put pen to paper on what is expected to be a three-year contract.
"I'm happy to be the coach of Inter," Spalletti said.
"The signature? Everything's in order. We've done things the old fashioned way and shaken hands on it."
In his second spell in charge of Roma, Spalletti failed to break the Serie A stranglehold of northern rivals Juventus, who finished four points ahead for a record sixth consecutive scudetto.
But the former Zenit St Petersburg coach did secure a place in the group stages of the Champions League, a goal Inter will be hoping he can match with them next season.
Inter -- Italy's last Champions League winners in 2010 -- failed in their bid to secure European football next season after another rollercoaster campaign that saw Pioli replace sacked Dutchman Frank De Boer after less than three months in charge.
They finished seventh, one point behind city rivals AC Milan and just out of the Europa League places, although Italy's quota of Champions League places will be increased to four from 2018.
Travelling to China with Spalletti was Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio, who said the club had not spoken to other coaches as they sought a replacement for Pioli.
"We never spoke (to any)," said Ausilio.
"The only thing we thought about was bringing Spalletti to Inter. Nothing's official yet, but it's going in that direction."
Following a 7-1 San Siro rout of Atalanta, Inter went on an eight-match winless run featuring six defeats and including humiliating reverses to Sampdoria and Crotone that saw them fall out of contention for a place in Europe.
Pioli to coach Fiorentina
Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli has agreed terms to take over at Fiorentina on a two-year deal, the Serie A club announced Tuesday.
Pioli was sacked three games before the end of a rollercoaster Serie A campaign with Inter that saw a quality-packed Nerazzurri side go from Champions League qualification contenders to missing out on European football altogether.
But Fiorentina, where Pioli played 156 times between 1989 and 1995, were quick to make the 51-year-old coach an offer following the departure of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa.
"Fiorentina announces the club has reached agreement with Stefano Pioli, who will take over as first team coach," said a statement by Fiorentina on Tuesday.
"The new coach will sign a two-year deal, with the option of a third."
Fiorentina finished eighth in Serie A, three points adrift of the Europa League qualification places.
Pioli's appointment means fans will be hoping for a return to qualifying for Europe.
He led Lazio to a third-place finish in his first season with the club in 2014-2015, only to be sacked in April 2016 after a 4-1 derby defeat to Roma.
Pioli took over from sacked Inter Milan coach Frank De Boer on November 8, leading Inter to a 2-2 derby draw with AC Milan in his first game in charge of the Nerazzurri.
But after steering the club to 12 victories in his first 16 games at the helm, Inter's troubles began in March.
Following a 7-1 San Siro rout of Atalanta, Inter went on an eight-match winless run featuring six defeats and including humiliating reverses to Sampdoria and Crotone that saw them fall out of contention for a place in Europe.