Javier Zanetti, former captain and now vice president of Inter, spoke in a long interview to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Many topics were touched, starting with his new life as a manager, but he has, however, not lost the healthy habits from his years as a player, “If I still train every day? Almost, I would say 5 out of 7. And sometimes football. How many minutes Mancini would give me? I could still play one half. If it is more difficult to be a footballer or Vice President? I certainly work more hours now and it is easier for me to change the plans for the day. I was less present at the Pinetina? The first months I was expected to do a master’s degree at Bocconi and spent more time at the headquarters: to get familiar with all areas of the club. It had nothing to do with the presence of Mazzarri: I have always answered and I always answer to the club, no matter who is on the bench.”
He was then asked about the relationship with Erick Thohir, especially now that Zanetti is learning English: “I get along better with English than he does with the Italian, I hope – he admitted -. But at age of 40 it is tough, at the beginning when I went to class with the children I felt like a fool: they were learning great and for me it was Chinese. If there still are hard feelings for having signed a time limited contract, for two years? It is the philosophy of Thohir: he treated me as a director. What interested me was to hear his confidence and to be considered an important vehicle to launch the image of Inter also internationally. And then it was normal: Moratti has known me for a lifetime, he has not. Moratti has and always will be counted on: he is very respectful, but if he must intervene he does it. A different role with Mancini? Let’s say I feel more involved than before. It is normal: Roberto and I already knew each other. But he seems different from before: calmer, more aware. He has changed in part also the way he practices: much more intensity now. We meet often and if it feels right I talk to the players. It has happened, especially in the difficult days, I know what it means to go through certain moments.”
He then went on to speak of the specific, beginning with Captain Ranocchia: “Andrea has qualities and teammates respect him for that. However, he must have more confidence in himself, not feeling the world collapse upon him: the teammates look at him and respect is something you earn even that way. Icardi? It’s up to us to help him, he is going to figure out how to behave in a big team. The first thing, and we hold this as important, is respect for the fans. Balotelli or Maurito’s gestures to the fans more serious? Mario’s were more serious, but both are two unpleasant things. If I would bet on Icardi still being at Inter in July? It is our intention and the renewal of the contract to which we are working on is moving in this direction. Then, you know, in football nothing is granted. Kovacic often on the bench? Inter focus on him, a lot. Few can change a game like he can do and making mistakes can help him. The only fear that he should not have is the fear of making mistakes. Shaqiri? He reminds me Sneijder for the ability to think the right thing a bit before the others. Guarin? Time has done him well, but those things happen: it is hard to find continuity when you play in a team that has no continuity.”
Disappointed or angry with Osvaldo? “More angry, but so is he: with himself, because he realized that trying to get his hands on the coach was a serious mistake. It was he who wasted a great chance. Ezequiel Lavezzi or Yaya Toure to Inter? Il Pocho is difficult, although he is my friend. Touré is not a friend of mine but I would sign him right away: when it comes to him Mancio will be important, in choosing a player that is essential to get where you want at all costs.”
What did you think Thursday night in the 94th minute of Celtic-Inter? “That they could tie the game 2-2 can happen, but not 3-3. We are close to the top, but repeat offenders: we can not always have bad luck, we have to work on handling of the last minute. How I rank the season? A 6 with 4th-5th place, good with the Europa League semi-final, very good if we were to win, because reaching third place seems very complicated. But the Champions League must always be on our frontier if we want to get back among the top 10 clubs in the world as Thohir wants. If I talk to Mourinho? Often. And he always ask me about Inter…”
Source: fcinternews.it
