Dutchman de Boer tells Inter 'happy to be here'

Rome (AFP) – Dutchman Frank de Boer, widely tipped to be taking over from ousted Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, told the Serie A club’s fans Monday he hoped “to see you soon”.

De Boer, who travelled to Milan on Monday after the club announced it had parted ways with Mancini, has not yet signed up but gave his first soundbites in a video posted by the Nerazzuri giants on their official Twitter feed and Facebook page.

“Hello Inter fans. I’m very happy to be here and I hope to see you soon,” he said.

De Boer, 46, who left Ajax at the end of last season, told journalists on touching down in the northern Italian city, “I hope for a season full of successes. See you tomorrow at the press conference”.

The club is expected to officially announce his appointment on Tuesday.

The Dutchman, the most capped outfield player in the history of the Netherlands football team, had been linked with Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton before those positions were filled.

At Inter he will have under two weeks to sign more players before the Serie A season starts against Chievo on August 21.

Mancini said his farewells to the blue and black stripes of Inter Milan Monday after the club confirmed his exit, amid media reports the Serie A giants’ new Chinese owners wanted fresh blood to rejuvenate the team.

The 51-year old had been coach for two years, having previously led Inter to three league titles and two Coppa Italias during his first spell in charge between 2004 and 2008.