Gigi Simoni’s family thanked Inter supporters today for dedicating a banner to their former coach at San Siro last night.

Simoni remains in intensive care near his home in Pisa after suffering a stroke in June, as confirmed by his wife Monica last week.

Inter’s Curva held up a message of support before the match against Lecce, which read: “The Curva Nord is close to Gigi Simoni’s family. Forza Gigi, don’t give up!”

In a statement released via ANSA on Tuesday, Simoni’s family said: “We are profoundly moved and would like to thank the Inter fans with sincere gratitude, for their words of encouragement and for their heartfelt and spontaneous shows of affection towards Gigi during the match.

“Football, thankfully, is also about this.”

Simoni coached Inter during the 1997-98 season and led the club to victory in the UEFA Cup, delivering Massimo Moratti his first European title and earning him that year’s Panchina d’Oro award.

Inter finished second in Serie A behind Juventus in a controversial campaign, with Simoni decrying a grave injustice following the pair’s infamous head-to-head match in Turin.

Last week, Monica told La Provincia di Cremona: “I want to be completely honest, the situation remains difficult. My husband is still fighting with us and us with him every day, but his condition is still serious. This is where we are.

“You always have hope, although the overall picture remains delicate for the moment.”