Indonesian tycoon and Inter president Erick Thohir recently undergo an Interview session with Skysports where he discussed different prospects surrounding The La Beneamata. In his interview he underlined the importance of a top 3 finish and also had his words on Icardi and Mancini’s future.
President, what can you say about your trip to Paris and your trip to London?
“As always it is a good thing to meet other presidents. I did the same with Madrid with Perez in China, where we also met Rummenigge. Al-Khelaifi invited us to Paris. It was a pleasure to go there because we have already played against Paris Saint Germain twice, in last season and last year. We could organize other matches in future. At the same time, for example, the other night I had dinner with the vice-president if Monaco. It is a positive thing to be in contact with other clubs. We have not spoken about players regarding the market, it’s more of a matter of relationships. It’s important that the big clubs have good relationships with each other. This is why I insist on the importance of having good relations with Serie A clubs, because otherwise we would have different strategies. Confronted, we would have the chance to go in the same direction”.
Why have you decided to withdraw before tomorrow’s match? What do you expect from this match?
“The withdrawal was a decision made by Mancini, together with the leadership. I think it’s a good thing, even if it isn’t that frequent in other countries. It’s good for the players who I have had the chance to be together with for 3-4 days. Tomorrow we have to win, we have a great team and the coach is the best for us. I think that we have a competitive team which we reinforced in the January market. We still have thirteen matches to play, the team needs to remain calm and fight for the objective”.
The agreement with Pirelli: what are the plans to make Inter stronger from a financial point of view, even if it means not being able to quaify for the Champions League?
“With Pirelli the relationship has been here for a while. The agreement is a good thing for our relations, we have extended the partnership for a further five years. Right now it is the longest sponsorship in Italy, and in football, one of the longest in Europe. Pirelli is a great brand, just like Inter. Working together is good for both sides. Especially now that we are looking in Asia for potential future partnerships. It is good to decide together what is the best strategy to penetrate the asian market with. However, other than this, we have a plan for whatever situations may arise: one is for if we qualify for the Champions League, anther for if we qualify for the Europa League and one in the event that we do not qualify for Europe at all. Of course if that were to happen, it would not do. Revenues are growing and we have built a competitive team. Obviously, going into the Champions League would allow us to invest even more”.
As for the partners you are looking for in China, is there news? There is talk of, for example, Hainan Airlines. Would this partner acquire part of the shares?
“In this question I have seen that there has been some confusion. We are looking for sponsors on a global level: in Indonesia, in China, everywhere. We have, among our sponsors, an airline, which is why in the past there was also the name of, for example, Garuda. Yes, we are looking for a partner, but they will be sponsors. Hainan are looking for collaboration on a sponsorship level, but at the same time we have also spoken to other airlines, always as potential sponsors. In China the situation has changed: they are breaking the records of money spent on buying players, they are constructing a competitive league and the club wants to create good connections with them. We have not spoken to anyone seriously regarding the acquisition of shares. In the future you never know, we cannot close our eyes because the world is becoming increasingly global and because it is good to find partners that can help Inter to grow”.
Tomorrow Ronaldo and Mourinho, most likely, will be present at the ‘Meazza’: have you ever met them?
“It is a beautiful thing to go to the stadium. I met Ronaldo in Paris, I’m a fan. We spoke about many things, it is a great thing that they are coming to Milan and maybe, around the world, we will work with him. As for Mourinho, I met him in Jakarta a few years ago when I was not Inter president yet. He is a great coach, who has made history at Inter, but right now we have Mancini, who in turn has also made his mark on the history of the club. He won five scudetti, I firmly believe that we can revive the team. Look at how Inter has already changed since last year, but of course we still need more time, although this should not be an excuse. Mancini knows very well what our objective is: we want to play in the Champions League. This is also why this is a serious moment and why I’m determined to stay close to the players”.
Icardi is liked a lot by Mourinho: will he stay at Inter?
“Icardi is part of the project. Murillo, Miranda, Medel, Kondogbia for example, as well as Mauro, are part of the project. The same applies to Telles, Ljajic, Jovetic and others. We have a plan that includes everyone. Palacio, for example, has renewed, while we are still talking with Nagatomo. We want to build a block that will remain for 2-3 seasons. We can not change the team every year. So we have to keep the structure of the roster and maybe buy 2-3 more players”.
Would you remain with this roster even if you do not qualify for Champions League?
“Yes. The Champions League is our objective, of course results that are not what you expected can happen. But for us the game against Sampdoria is really important. I think that I will meet the president Ferrero for lunch in the coming days. I enjoy maintaining relationships. Now, however, we’re thinking of tomorrow. It will be nice to see the fans in the stadium and to meet some of our legends”.
Now where are you going?
“I’m going to London, not for issues related to Inter but for the business of the Mahaja Group. But I will come back… (he smiles)”.
