Leonardo is the favourite to take over if Inter sack Frank de Boer, while Laurent Blanc, Andrea Mandorlini and Francesco Guidolin are options.
The Coach had taken himself off the chopping block with a 2-1 midweek win over Torino, ending a run of three consecutive Serie A defeats.
However, on Sunday evening the 1-0 loss at Sampdoria showed the same problems and left them level with the Blucerchiati on 14 points.
Leonardo is the favourite to take over if Inter sack Frank de Boer, while Laurent Blanc, Andrea Mandorlini and Francesco Guidolin are options.
The Coach had taken himself off the chopping block with a 2-1 midweek win over Torino, ending a run of three consecutive Serie A defeats.
However, on Sunday evening the 1-0 loss at Sampdoria showed the same problems and left them level with the Blucerchiati on 14 points.
Only eight teams have fewer points than Inter and three of them have a game in hand. The Nerazzurri are already eight points adrift of the Champions League places.
Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport maintain Inter will give De Boer until next week’s match with Crotone to prove himself, because then there’s the break for international duty – the ideal time to bring in a new boss.
While Blanc has been heavily linked with the job, it’s reported that Leonardo is the favourite, as he was suggested by former President Massimo Moratti.
There is a schism emerging within the club, as the Suning Group majority shareholders are eager to sack De Boer, whereas President Erick Thohir and CEO Michael Bolingbroke back the Dutch tactician.
Leonardo has experience of being a caretaker in a difficult situation, having already replaced unpopular Rafa Benitez in December 2010.
He took them flying up the table for the rest of the season, finishing in second place and winning the Coppa Italia.
Leonardo said he did not enjoy the role of Coach and left at the end of that campaign to become a director at Paris Saint-Germain.
The fact Leonardo isn’t a big fan of management actually suits Inter in this situation, because it’s reported they are looking for a short-term option until Diego Simeone frees himself from Atletico Madrid.
If former Paris Saint-Germain and France tactician Blanc were to come in, he’d want a long-term contract.
Other caretaker options include Mandorlini (a former Inter player), Guidolin and ex-Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli.