It is rare for me to talk in the first person, and it is strange for me to talk about my experiences with Inter; however, today, I will, and this is for a reason. As any football fan will confess, one has to admit that when you are so beautifully blessed, everything seems to be going right. I would argue that only a tiny percentage of fans ever feel this as only a limited number of clubs get to this position. That is why, I find it imperative to talk about Inter’s future. I have been a fan since 1988, so I feel Inter must safeguard themselves.
It is 2010, Inter have won the treble. A season of travel and trips to games I could not have imagined came to a climactic finale in Madrid. I wrote an article in those heady May days in 2010 and the title was somewhat of a surprise. My vision for the 2010 team was that the treble team was the end of an era, not the beginning. Never have I been pained to say more that I was right.
Fast forward to 2024, and we have won the title after an epic victory against our city rivals, Milan. What an incredible way to get a second star despite disappointments in the Coppa Italia and Champions League. What can I say about this show apart from waxing lyrical about Inter’s form and how good they have been to watch?
We have been blessed this term with so few disasters. So, what happens next? Can we ask questions about the long term? When thought about, this surrounded a couple of areas: the future of Simone Inzaghi, the future of Beppe Moratta, the future of Suning, and the future of San Siro. Are we creating a legacy or just a flash in the pan?
So, let’s talk Simone Inzaghi. From Gazzetta Dello Sport’s recent headlines, the Inter coach is close to being handed a new contract. This has been a policy of the Nerazzuri for some time and it shows how the Inter coach likes to work. What is crucial for this is the process. Simone needs to continue with the team as the development in tactics has been exemplary. The Piacenza-born coach has brought the Nerazzurri to the next level and managed to win the first Serie A title in his coaching career. Inzaghi had signed one-year contract extensions in the past years, but now he will likely put pen to paper on a new two-year contract as a reward for his hard work and Inter’s developments on the pitch.
Keeping your coach is one thing; losing your CEO is another. The Nerazzurri must replace Mister Marotta even if the experienced director will remain at San Siro for another three years. The former Juventus executive has recently revealed he would step down after the end of his contract in 2027. After a decade with Juventus, he transformed Inter. Marotta had the blueprint. Andre Onana, Romelu Lukaku, Archraf Hakimi. But also free signings like Henrik Mkhitaryan and Marcus Thuram. Do we need to say more? The man is incredible and will help Italian youth thrive if he sticks to his promise. Inter have to replace him in the long term, but in the meantime, the Nerazzurri can still plan the future with the 67-year-old
Finally, Oaktree and Inter. It is a problem, isn’t it? In less than a month, Inter’s history could be re-written. By May 2024, the Nerazzurri (well, Zhang) have to pay the US Management a fee of circa €275m, plus €100m interest. However, the President seems willing to finalise a new agreement with a UK-based fund to remain in charge long term. As he also said from the recent China F1 GP, he’s at Inter to stay, so don’t expect a short-term change at the helm for the new Serie A champions.
Last but not least, the Nerazzurri must determine whether to remain at San Siro and potentially buy the Stadio Meazza with their city rivals or move elsewhere and build their new home in Rozzano. The latest updates from Pinetina seem to be leaning towards the second option given that both Inter and Milan are unconvinced about San Siro. However, the San Siro saga has been plenty of surprises and sudden twists, so expect the unexpected on this front, but surely Inter must make a decision in the coming months as a club of its stature can no longer wait for its own stadium, the subsequent revenues and to ultimately build an even better future.
Twitter: @RichHall80