Legendary Inter defender Riccardo Ferri has shared his hopes of seeing Antonio Conte remain the Inter coach for a long time.
Conte is little over 18 months into his tenure as Inter boss and is under contract with the club until the end of next season.
He has coached the Nerazzurri in 87 games across all competitions to date and won 52 of his games in charge of the Milanese side.
Conte has completely transformed Inter and has them sitting four points clear at the top of the Serie A table after 24 games played this season.
“I have always defended Antonio, despite his past at Juventus,” Ferri explained in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport’s online edition.
“Conte and Beppe Marotta have brought back that spirit of belonging that was missing at Inter.
“I hope he stays there for a long time because now Inter are a real team.”
Ferri then spoke on the fact that Conte has managed to do this despite the ongoing off-field issues at the club, amid ongoing speculation that the club will be sold by Suning.
“Credit must go to Conte, who was quick to read the situation, keeping everyone’s focus only on what is happening on the pitch.
“If he had started to create excuses, then the players would have done the same.”
Ferri was also asked whether Inter should fear AC Milan or Juventus more in their bid to win a first Serie A title in 11 years.
“Inter just have to keep their head down and keeping pedalling away,” he argued.
“Much will depend on AC Milan and Juventus’ possible progression in Europe.
“I think AC Milan are more of a team while Juventus do not have an identity, they are too reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Ferri, who spent 13 years with Inter, spoke on some similarities between one of his former coaches Giovanni Trapattoni and Conte.
“The two are very similar in how they live the game,” he explained.
“In those moments during the match, they are so focused they would not even recognise a relative.”
