Javier Zanetti claims Leonardo is still the man to lead Inter Milan forward despite crushing defeats against AC Milan and Schalke 04.
The Inter captain has spoken out following some heavy criticism aimed at his coach, who replaced the sacked Rafael Benitez earlier in the season, after a 3-0 Milan derby defeat last Saturday left them five points adrift of the Rossoneri in the race for the Serie A Scudetto.
And, Inter's 5-2 quarter-final first leg thrashing against German Bundesliga side Schalke at the San Siro on Wednesday, which has left their hopes of retaining the Champions League crown hanging by a thread, has only added to the pressure on Leonardo.
However, Zanetti said: "He's a real man, he's an amazing person in every sense, he believes in us and we believe in him.
"Since he came here we've been reborn and I believe he should stay here because we like him."
The Argentinian added on Inter Channel: "We all feel bitter about the defeats to Milan and Schalke but this team has done nothing but win for the last six years and I think some people were just waiting for the first difficulty to start criticising.
"But we know how things work and luckily we'll rise above certain things. "
I'd be surprised if people only said good things, that would be something to worry about.
"Inter fans shouldn't listen to the critics, they have to use their own heads to analyse everything that's been said and written about Inter these last few days.
"We players know that when you win you're great and when you lose you're nothing.
"The true Inter fan, however, knows that the team cares and from this point of view I've got nothing to reproach our fans about."