To mark his 80th birthday, former Inter manager Luigi ‘Gigi’ Simoni spoke about his life in football in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport and part of the interview focused upon Inter and his time with the club.
He firstly reflected on his sacking from Inter that came after little over a year in the job.
“I did not expect to be sacked, but Moratti acknowledged that he was wrong and now we have a very good relationship, because he really is a wonderful person, and at Christmas he sent me a huge panettone.”
He was then asked if winning the UEFA Cup with Inter was his best memory.
“It is my best memory but only on a sporting level because I left the locker room bitter about the rumours that were circulating about the possible arrival of Zaccheroni. On a personal level, however, the most beautiful memory is the ovation I received by the fans of San Siro, all standing to applaud me, when I returned for the first time as manager of Piacenza.”
Simoni was in charge at Inter for the infamous Ronaldo penalty incident against Juventus – where referee Piero Ceccarini waved away a stonewall penalty – and was asked if he has got over it.
“It is a wound that will always remain because Ceccarini maintains that he made the right call. We found ourselves at the same ceremony once and I greeted him and he pretended not to recognise me.”
He then spoke further on Ronaldo, going so far as to say he was the best player he ever managed.
“He was the strongest player I managed. I still have his muddy shirt after his brace in Moscow.”
Simoni then spoke on the current state of Inter and discussed when he feels Inter can challenge for the Scudetto.
“I hope there is very little time [until Inter can challenge] as they are currently a team that can beat anyone, lose to anyone and pick up just two points against a team like Sassuolo.”
Simoni then spoke on current manager Luciano Spalletti and potential successors to him down the line.
“He is a good coach but sometimes I find it hard to understand him. Simeone would be ideal to replace him. I had him as a player and he was already taking notes on all the methods of the coaches he worked under. I have never seen anyone else like that.
He concluded by speaking on Inter captain Mauro Icardi and if his form has been affected by ongoing contract talks.
“I do not believe this is the case because he is strong on the pitch and off it. As a striker he has no rivals and deserves to stay at Inter, even if the deal seems a bit complicated.”
