Inter director Beppe Marotta ‘thinks’ Simone Inzaghi will be coach next season as well and assures Manchester United target Andre Onana ‘wants to stay and we don’t intend to put him on the market.’

The club chief was speaking at an event after he was awarded the Order of Merit for his services to sport.

It has been a remarkable 24 hours for the Nerazzurri, who beat Milan 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at San Siro.

“We feel happy, but not euphoric because we won the first leg and have not yet secured qualification,” said Marotta.

“The performance was positive and bodes well for the second match that we must face with respect for the opposition. I have seen first leg results overturned in past. Milan will be fired up.”

If they do reach the Champions League Final, it will help assuage some of the criticism aimed at coach Inzaghi, especially as he already won the Supercoppa and booked a spot in the Coppa Italia Final against Fiorentina.

Marotta was asked specifically if Inzaghi will be the coach for next season.

“I think so, we do not evaluate a coach based on one incident or one game, but on a way of working and professionalism. Inzaghi is a fine coach. There is a small blemish, not just for Inter, that we weren’t protagonists in Serie A, where Napoli had an extraordinary march. We were just spectators in the Scudetto race, but otherwise the season is positive.”

Inter are receiving a significant financial boost from their Champions League campaign, but that won’t change their approach to the transfer market.

It is working so far, because free agents Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored against Milan last night.

“We have taken an approach based on sustainability, including Onana, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian, who all made a big impact on the pitch, but not on our finances.”

With regards to Onana, the free agent has been valued at €40m and linked with a transfer to Manchester United this summer.

“It is difficult to predict the future, but we have not received any offers and the goalkeeper wants to stay here. We do not intend to put him on the market.”

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