Inter vice-President Javier Zanetti expects Mauro Icardi to grow into the captaincy – “he’s young, he has a lot to learn”.
The Argentine striker has been given the captain’s armband, but sections of the Nerazzurri support demanded he be stripped of it earlier this season, after his controversial autobiography.
“Inititally, when he learned he’d be wearing the armband he became very excited,” Zanetti told Chinese outlet sina.com
Inter vice-President Javier Zanetti expects Mauro Icardi to grow into the captaincy – “he’s young, he has a lot to learn”.
The Argentine striker has been given the captain’s armband, but sections of the Nerazzurri support demanded he be stripped of it earlier this season, after his controversial autobiography.
“Inititally, when he learned he’d be wearing the armband he became very excited,” Zanetti told Chinese outlet sina.com
“He soon calmed down though, he had a kind of nervous excitement. Hopefully he’ll be worthy of the trust of his Coaches and teammates, it takes a process of adaptation.
“Mauro is still relatively young, like anyone becoming Inter captain he still has a lot to learn and improve on. We’ll give him time, I think he’ll improve.”
The former defender then discussed his role with the Beneamata, and reveals he never wanted to become a Coach.
“I’ve always wanted to follow my heart. Personally, I never thought about becoming a Coach because I thought I’d be more suitable for a role as a director.
“That’s why I find myself in the position I’m occupying now.
“Is it different from being a player? Well, first of all they’re two different roles. As vice-President I’ve had to learn about a lot of new aspects, which is why I enrolled in specific courses and I’m also learning from more experience people.
“I’d like to stay in close contact with [owners] Suning to be more and more useful to the management of the club.
“As a player, my main goal was to focus on the pitch and how to solve problems on the pitch. Being captain, my job was to focus on training and matches, and if there were problems within the group I’d have to help the Coach, given the responsibility of my role.
“Those problems remain within the squad, of course. As vice-President, my primary role is to be Inter’s ambassador to FIFA, UEFA and other football bodies.
“I’m always looking to do the best I can, and also help Suning to develop their ideas.”
Zanetti also took the time to discuss Inter’s start to the season, having had three Coaches since the end of last season.
“During these years with the squad I’ve experienced a lot of hard times, mainly on the pitch.
“We need more encouragement and stimulation. At this stage, we haven’t been able to find consistency of performance, we didn't foresee these results.
“We changed two Coaches and also experience a change of ownership and management. Now the important thing is that we’re all together as Inter and that we strive for the same objectives.
“We just have to do our work, that’s the only way results will improve.”