Mourinho appointed Inter Milan coach

Jose Mourinho has been appointed coach of Inter Milan for the next three years, the Italian champions said on Monday.

Former Chelsea and Porto boss Mourinho succeeds Roberto Mancini, whose dismissal was confirmed on Thursday, 11 days after he led the side to their third consecutive Serie A title.

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"F.C. Internazionale announce the arrival of Jose Mourinho," read a statement on the club's Web site. "The Portuguese coach has signed a three-year contract."

The statement gave no financial details of the deal. La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported on its Web site that the coach would earn nine million euros a season.

Mourinho had been out of work since September, when he left Chelsea after his relationship with club owner Roman Abramovich broke down.

He is considered by many the best in the business after leading the London club to the English Premier League title in 2005 and 2006 and inspiring Porto to UEFA Cup and Champions League glory in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard and Michael Essien and Barcelona duo Deco and Samuel Eto'o are among the transfer targets Mourinho wants his new club to aim for, according to media reports.

The charismatic 45-year-old has long been linked with the Inter hot seat.

The speculation intensified after Inter's defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 in March, when Mancini put his position in doubt by saying he would quit at the end of the season only to change his mind the following day.