Roma reject Spalletti shakes on Inter deal

MILAN, Italy - Former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said on 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 was fired by Roma despite leading the Giallorossi to a runner-up spot in Serie A last week, is expected to be officially named as the successor to the axed 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."

Pioli has agreed terms to take over at Fiorentina on a two-year deal, the Serie A club announced on Tuesday.

In his second spell in charge of Roma, Spalletti failed to break the Serie A stranglehold of Juventus, which finished four points ahead for a record sixth straight title.

But the former Zenit St Petersburg coach did secure a Champions League spot, a feat Inter will be hoping he can repeat next season.

Inter - Italy's last Champions League winner in 2010 - failed in its bid to secure European soccer next season after another roller coaster campaign that saw Pioli replace axed Dutchman Frank De Boer after less than three months in charge.

It finished seventh, one point behind city rival 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.

Traveling 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 anyone else," said Ausilio.

"The only thing we thought about was bringing Spalletti to Inter. Nothing's official yet, but it's going in that direction."

Death of a legend

Inter paid tribute to the club's former goalkeeping great Giuliano Sarti, who died aged 83 on Tuesday following an "unexpected illness".

As well as being one of Italy's top stoppers in the 1950s and 60s, former Fiorentina, Inter, Juventus and Italy player Sarti pioneered the role of sweeper-keeper.

Known for rushing off his line to try to close down attacks, Sarti would also get involved in build-up play from the back.

Sarti notably helped Inter to successive European Cup titles in 1964 and 1965, and won a runners-up medal in 1967 when Jock Stein's famous Celtic side lifted the trophy in Lisbon.

Agence France - Presse