Massimiliano Allegri was delighted after finally being confirmed as the new AC Milan coach.
The Serie A giants officially announced that Allegri has signed a two-year deal at the San Siro this afternoon.
The 42-year-old has long been recognised as the Rossoneri's first choice to take over the reins, but Milan were forced to wait while he negotiated the termination of his contract with Cagliari.
And Allegri admits it was something of a difficult wait for him.
"This day has made me very happy," he told reporters. "It was a bit of a long month but I am happy.
"Now we will have all the time to prepare for the season. We need to try to work in the best way possible to obtain the maximum.
"I'm not worried about the Milan dressing room, the technical staff are already all with me.
"Now a bit of a holiday."
Allegri replaces Leonardo, who parted company with the club after just one season in charge of Milan's first team.
He is regarded as one of the country's finest young managers and he was voted the best coach of the 2008-09 season ahead of former Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho.
Allegri was relieved of his duties at Cagliari in April, as speculation over his future appeared to distract him, but remained contracted to the Sardinian outfit until 2011 before eventually coming to an agreement with the club eight days ago.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had already confirmed a week previously that they would name Allegri as their new coach as soon as they got the green light from Cagliari.
And Allegri was able to put pen to paper on his new deal this morning.
"AC Milan announce that Massimiliano Allegri is the new first team coach," read the statement on the Milan website. "The manager has signed a contract until June 30, 2012."
