Milano based Gazzetta dello Sport reports that President Steven Zhang and the CEO Beppe Marotta have been clear in recent weeks: Inter must return to competing with the top teams, and winning a trophy this season is important.

The elimination on the last day of the group stage in the Champions League has been dealt with and on the 14th February the Europa League begins against Rapid Vienna and it will be fundamental to progress to the next round, especially given the potential qualification for next season’s Champions League that could guarantee a Nerazzurri future for Spalletti. In the meantime, what worries the management the most is the crisis in the style of play.

After the knockout on penalties against Lazio, there was a discussion between the management and the Nerazzurri coach. A quiet chat at the end of an evening that started badly, which could have ended differently but then ultimately led to the elimination.

There was no ultimatum or anything like that – the Gazzetta reports – Inter decided to protect their coach and players, convinced that improvement is possible. The team is a sum of all its parts; of injuries, disqualification and predictable drops in form. The transfer market has weakened the heads of some players as well, who can now hopefully be revitalised. Only in the case of a prolongation of the crisis, which started from the exit from the Champions League, would they think about changing the coach mid-season.

Antonio Conte is a firm favourite of Suning and is in pole position should Spalletti fail in his targets, but there is also the possible return of Mourinho and Simeone. However, Simeone is close to a renewal with Atletico, reports the Gazzetta, and any contact with the Nerazzurri has always been denied.