Former Inter coach Frank de Boer discussed his year in the MLS as well as his time with the Nerazzurri in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Dutch newspaper Noordhollands Dagblad.
De Boer also discussed his brief time with the Nerazzurri in 2016.
“Why didn’t the end of the world happen after the first difficult months? Because Atlanta United are a young club, who have existed only for a few years. They’re a club with almost no history, that’s an advantage. The history plays an enormous role in a club like Inter.”
“There were former presidents with power who were shouting things about you in the media, an influential technical director, agents who are involved, you know. It was politics. When you train in a club like this you have to know how to play different roles. That’s not my strength. I’m what you see, I always act in good faith.”
He didn’t think that he was naïve at the time.
“On one hand yes, but on the other hand, I don’t want to see an enemy behind every tree. Not even now that I’ve had unpleasant experiences. I don’t just want to deal with people like that.”
“It was a hectic year in America. We had an incredibly intense schedule, with two games and many trips almost every week. In America everything is a spectacle. Like the way we treat Atlanta United supporters. Before every home game, we get off the bus near the stadium so that fans can take a picture with us.”
He then revealed that he took the Atlanta job because he knew he would have time to build something.
“Yes, that was an important reason to choose this adventure. A coach needs six months to get to know his players and vice versa. I knew I would have time in Atlanta.”