Antonio Conte is on course to become Inter’s successor to Giovanni Trapattoni, according to former Nerazzurri defender Andrea Mandorlini.
Inter went 11 points clear at the top of Serie A last week and maintained their advantage over AC Milan yesterday by beating Cagliari 1-0 at San Siro.
Conte’s side have become the first team in history to begin the second half of a Serie A campaign with 11 straight wins, breaking a record set by Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan back in 1990.
Speaking to Radio Punto Nuovo today, Mandorlini said: “Winning is what matters and Inter are an efficient team.
“We started our record-breaking season (under Trapattoni in 1988-89) like this as well, with lots of 1-0 wins.
“It doesn’t make much sense to talk about expansive football: Conte is the most decisive person in Inter’s season, even more so than Romelu Lukaku.
“He’s the leader of this team and I have great admiration for him, he’s done an enormous job.
“Conte has everything necessary to become the natural heir to Trapattoni at Inter.”
Matteo Darmian scored the only goal of the game at San Siro as Inter eventually overcame Cagliari’s stubborn defensive resistance.
Conte’s side will look to take another step towards the title on Sunday when they visit Napoli for one of their toughest remaining fixtures this season.
Inter have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 league games and are now Serie A’s joint-best defence alongside Juventus.
