Massimo Moratti says Inter's new owners are 'serious' whilst reflecting on his greatest champions.
The 71-year-old sold 70 per cent of the Nerazzurri's shares to Erick Thohir in 2013, and has now sold the remainder of his minority share as part of the great operation that saw the Suning Group acquire the Italian club.
Massimo Moratti says Inter's new owners are 'serious' whilst reflecting on his greatest champions.
The 71-year-old sold 70 per cent of the Nerazzurri's shares to Erick Thohir in 2013, and has now sold the remainder of his minority share as part of the great operation that saw the Suning Group acquire the Italian club.
“The new owners gave me the impression of being serious,” he told Il Corriere della Sera. “This isn't to say that first impressions are always accurate, but when they came to Milan some time ago, we set up a meeting in Imbersago, in the countryside.
“In Zhang Jingdong I saw a man who doesn't need recitals and who doesn't care for appearances. His son was the same, well-behaved and used to listening. These and other things gave me a positive impression.
“My own departure was when I sold Inter to Thohir. What's happening now is part of a path, a process, a construction. I had the time to prepare myself mentally, so it wasn't traumatic.
“I'll admit that it was tough to remain as a minority shareholder, in spite of the endless courtesy of Thohir. This has nothing to do with the Indonesian tycoon, he was always extremely sensitive to my needs.”
The former President then went on to discuss those he considered to be the strongest players under his tenure.
“Ronaldo, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Alvaro] Recoba are my champions. Recoba is that kind of player who shows extraordinary moves that are unexpected and that excite you. Though I know better than anyone else that he lacked continuity.
“[Jose] Mourinho? He was extremely good, he won everything. But let me name three Coaches too: [Roberto] Mancini was essential to bring Inter back to victory, he ended a period of abstinence. And then Leonardo, for his intelligence.
“I remember I sought [Zdenek] Zeman, I called him at one point but he didn't pick up the phone. He was afraid it was a joke.
“Things changed after that, it was one of those sudden events, and we couldn't bring him over. But I hold him in very high esteem, he had some revolutionary ideas.”