Javier Zanetti has backed Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni to prove his worth at the club. “It’s not right to talk about his successor.”
Javier Zanetti has backed Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni to prove his worth at the club. “It’s not right to talk about his successor.”
Stramaccioni’s job is said to be on the line after a dip in results. Reports are already linking the club with Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and Napoli tactician Walter Mazzarri.
“Simeone is a friend of mine,” the club captain told TV show Undici. “I guess it's possible that he wants to come back to Italy and maybe even coach Inter.
“Rumours about Mazzarri? I don't think it's right to place the position of someone like Stramaccioni in doubt.
“He's very young and he's gaining experience with us. It takes time and hopefully at the end of the season we'll be talking about something great that we've achieved.”
Inter are now fifth in the table after winning just two of their last nine games, while they’ll face city rivals Milan – and former Inter striker Mario Balotelli – on Sunday night.
“We experienced a very intense period together at Inter with Mario,” Zanetti added. “Now he's on the other side.
“On Sunday I'll be happy to say hello to him and then once the first ball is kicked we'll be opponents.
“Who am I most worried about in the derby between Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy? They're both fantastic players, but what matters is that Inter are on form.
“Me at Milan? The thought has never crossed my mind and that's something that will never happen in my career…”