New Inter Milan manager Leonardo insists the club are still in with a chance of retaining their Serie A title after being officially unveiled as Rafael Benítez’s successor on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old joins the reigning Italian champions with the club languishing seventh in the Italian league table, 13 points behind leaders AC Milan, but having played two games less than the table-toppers.

“Do I believe in a title chance? Of course, I totally believe in it,” said Leonardo. “There is quite a gap to the top, but it won't take much to get into the group of frontrunners.

“I arrive here in the most important year in Inter's history. I am very determined, happy, and I have a lot of enthusiasm.”

The former AC Milan manager takes over from Benítez after the Spaniard was sacked last week following a troubled six months in charge at San Siro, and Leonardo believes he has what it takes to turn last season’s treble winners into champions again.

“I think the team is already there and does not need to be created,” he said. “Inter has its identity, the players know what they have to do; I don't have to invent anything, but rather put the players into the best possible conditions in which to do their best.

“This team must enjoy this moment after all they have achieved, like a great team; all they have to do is return to what they were doing in their successful times.”

The new coach added that he regards his new role as one of the most prestigious jobs in football. He said: “I was not looking for a job, but for something that would really motivate me, a great challenge; and I don't think they come any greater than this one."

Inter president Massimo Moratti admitted to being a long-term admirer of the Brazilian World Cup winner. He said: “I am very happy about this appointment, I have always rated him.

“Now let him work without pressure but with all the ambition that we must have as champions of the world. He bears a heavy weight on his shoulders, as I do, for the decision the club have taken.”

Leonardo’s first challenge as Inter boss will come in the form of a home tie against Napoli after Serie A’s winter break on 6 January.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits Italy international Mario Balotelli is unhappy with life in England.

Balotelli, 20, hit an impressive hat-trick in his side’s 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday to help City temporarily move to the summit of the Premier League table. It came just hours after the English media revealed Balotelli’s desire to return to his homeland after only six months at Eastlands.

The Sun had earlier claimed that the former Inter Milan forward had failed to strike up any friendships with his new team-mates, but despite admitting Balotelli is unsettled in England, Mancini believes the combustive youngster will stay with Manchester City.

“He is homesick,” Mancini conceded. “He’s 20 years old, it’s the first time he has been away from his family and it’s normal that he misses his family.

“After the first goal he celebrated – that’s the first step forward – but the more important thing is he scored three goals. He is a good guy. He is not like he appears on the pitch.

“He likes to give this image, this impression, that he’s hard, serious and doesn’t like to play. But he is a different guy off the pitch.

“One has to understand this country and this football before he can give his best. Silva has managed it, and now he’s playing great. Mario is working on it, and knows he has to do more for himself as well as for the team.”

The Manchester City boss added: “When he has grasped this, and starts to make use of his qualities, he will become an important player for us. He’s a player who can make the difference in any game, for any team.”

Balotelli has scored eight times in 11 appearances since joining City since joining from Inter for £24m this summer.

The Italy international was last week awarded the Golden Boy trophy – the award organised by Turin newspaper Tuttosport and voted for by European journalists to honour the most talented footballer under the age of 21.

Spinner Graeme Swann hailed an “amazing series” after England retained the Ashes in Melbourne with a Test match to spare.

Australia resumed on day four 246 runs behind the visitors on 169-6 and with the injured Ryan Harris unable to bat, they were eventually dismissed for 258 before lunch at the MCG.

Chris Tremlett, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan each took a wicket as England won by an innings and 157 runs to seal their first Ashes triumph in Down Under for 24 years.

England, who are now 2-1 up with only the Sydney Test remaining, now have the chance to win their first series Down Under since 1986-87 if they can avoid defeat at the SCG.

“It’s been an amazing series,” said Swann. “It’s fluctuated so wildly. After the hammering we got in Perth it took a mammoth effort to come back.

“I think the difference to me is we had a few more guys in good nick with bat and ball. They have some unbelievable players but Ricky Ponting has not had a good score, how we’ve managed that I’ll never know and he’s one of the best players going.

He added: “I was hoping I’d take the last wicket, but it’s fitting that ‘Bres’ got it. I’m over the moon. I said before I wouldn’t bother if I didn’t take a wicket in the series as long as we won it.”

Captain Andrew Strauss hailed the efforts of England’s backroom staff and insisted that his side now have their sights firmly set on winning the series. He said: “I had hoped we would retain the Ashes, but you know how much hard work is needed.

“We did a lot of planning for this series and knew what we wanted to do, but it’s another thing going out and doing it.

“A lot of credit goes out to Andy Flower and the backroom staff, but also the players on the pitch who did a fantastic job. Now we want to go out and win the series but it’s pretty amazing what we’ve achieved here.”

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting highlighted his own poor performances as one of the reasons for the host’s downfall. “My series has been horrible,” he said. “That’s a big reason why we’ve been in this position. We’ve all tried and you do the best you can, sometimes it’s good enough.

“We’re disappointed and we’ve been beaten easily. We now can’t win the Ashes and no-one is more disappointed than me. We weren’t good enough, they simply outplayed us.”