Inter CEO Beppe Marotta insists San Siro is ‘dated’ and no longer fit for purpose, reassures fans over the Zhang investment and claims a ‘core of Italian players makes it easier to win the Scudetto.’
The Nerazzurri are currently top of the table and go head-to-head with second-placed Juventus on Sunday, while they have already qualified for the Champions League Round of 16.
Speaking at the DLA Piper Sport Forum, Marotta mentioned the recalibration that Inter have taken towards more home-grown players.
“A modern manager needs creativity and courage. I was fortunate enough to live through the evolution of football, watching the transformation away from a world where the first aim was to win, the second was to cover the financial losses.
“That model no longer exists. Now we are dealing with sustainability, the Financial Fair Play rules and settlement agreements, so we must take advantage of opportunities on the transfer market, including free agents.
“Another approach is to create a core of Italian players, and that also makes it easier to win the Scudetto.”
The major area where Italian clubs are lagging behind is in stadiums, and that in turn means a significant lack of revenue compared to the Premier League and even the Bundesliga.
Inter and Milan have caused controversy to deciding to leave the city of Milan, as they are currently banned from knocking down the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“It is an icon of Italian football with many happy memories, but football is a business and stadiums represent one of the fundamental instruments to raise revenue.
“San Siro is dated, so there are romantic memories, but also negative aspects to that. You cannot deny the clubs have tried to get the best value out of this stadium and it is now our duty to look around at other alternatives.”
There remain concerns over Inter owners Suning and their loan repayment that is owed to fund Oaktree in April 2024.
“Our fans can relax, the Zhang family care about this club and have respect for the history and its fans,” assured Marotta.
“They proved that with strong investment and it is not fair to ask them to pump new funds in every year. Sustainability can be achieved with courageous and creative management.
“The Zhang family would never abandon Inter in a moment of difficulty.”
Thanks Zhang and Marotta