Marco Materazzi has warned Antonio Conte he will need to work hard to win over his new supporters at Inter.
The ex-defender faced Conte on many occasions when he captained Juventus and did not seem enthralled at the thought of him coaching the Nerazzurri.
Speaking at an event in Milan last night, Materazzi backed Conte to do ‘a good job’ at San Siro and urged him to close the gap to his former club.
“Conte has an incredible opportunity to make himself loved after being hated for his past,” the 2006 World Cup winner said.
“He’s got the tools to do it because he has a very solid club behind him and a great group of players.
“Wherever he’s gone he’s got the best out of who works for his club. As an Interista I’ll be happy if he can repeat Giovanni Trapattoni’s feat of winning the title after spending years at Juventus.
“Inter’s fans have always been put through the ringer but in the last few years they’ve been suffering just to see the team achieve the bare minimum.
“There’s an incredible atmosphere at San Siro and they need to act as a catalyst for the team to obtain important results.”
Materazzi also discussed his former coach Jose Mourinho, talking up the Special One’s chances of a return to Inter.
“You can never say never and I’m sure there’s no Interista who wouldn’t want him to come back,” he added.
“We have to respect the decision of the club, though, who have appointed an important manager in Conte.”
Mauro Icardi’s future at the club was another point of discussion but Materazzi refused to be drawn on the matter.
“I don’t know what happened last season so it would be disrespectful towards the club, the coach and Icardi if I commented,” he concluded.
“When you don’t know what’s happened you must never pass judgement.”
