Erick Thohir has discussed aspects to Inter’s project, and called on Serie A clubs and the League to improve the top flight’s competitiveness.
The Nerazzurri are close to a full first year under the Indonesian’s stewardship and, after today’s shareholders’ meeting, he faced the media, alongside CEO Michael Bolingbroke, sporting director Piero Ausilio and director general Marco Fassone.
Erick Thohir has discussed aspects to Inter’s project, and called on Serie A clubs and the League to improve the top flight’s competitiveness.
The Nerazzurri are close to a full first year under the Indonesian’s stewardship and, after today’s shareholders’ meeting, he faced the media, alongside CEO Michael Bolingbroke, sporting director Piero Ausilio and director general Marco Fassone.
“There should be an overall plan for the whole country so that it’s competitive with other countries,” Thohir has told reporters today.
“We need two-to-three years to do it all. Last year we had good results and this year we want to stay in Europe.
“But obviously our target is Champions League football – I am confident about our project and solidity of our team.
“Obviously many ask themselves why we made some of the choices, but I think that our project spreads in a two-to-three-year span. Then we’ll see and evaluate the results.
“At the moment I think what we have achieved is good. The direction is the right one. As everybody knows, revenues don’t come only from the media, but also from stadium and other commercial aspects.
“Good news is not only related to revenue figures though, but also about other sources of income like agreements for TV media rights and sponsors in the next couple of years.
“About stadium revenues we should act quickly because other clubs have already announced about their stadium plan and we can’t be the 10th to do so.
“In the Premier League things are edging closer to some new agreements in terms of TV rights. They say revenues could be €150m. How many teams could reach that figure in Italy? No one.
“In the next couple of years, other clubs will experience a lot of trouble if we don’t stick together. Lega Calcio is very important.
“As a club we have a plan, but we are part of a League and we have to work with other clubs too. I must say that in the Premier League there have been changes and there was an international openness.
“Thanks to the meetings I had with other Presidents and institutions, I have realized that there is a good understanding of he Italian situation.
“Football is a leading sector for the Italian economy and if this sector collapses, just imagine the consequences not only for every club but also for those who work in football.
“We are in transition and we, Inter, must be ready to work and cooperate with Lega Calcio. Serie A might become the ninth League in the world in the future, so we’ve got to be ready to respond to future developments.
“We’ll spend and we are spending now, but the most important thing is the result of the team in the long term. And I’m sure it will be there.”