Inter could secure their new head coach as early as tonight, according to CEO Beppe Marotta.
The Nerazzurri are widely expected to appoint former Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting he would sign a two-year deal.
Conte left Inter by mutual consent last night after Suning informed him of their intention to cut costs ahead of next season.
Speaking at an event organised by Foglio Sportivo, Marotta said earlier (via FcInter1908.it): “We might unofficially secure the new coach by the end of tonight.”
Conte led Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years and Marotta was full of praise for the club’s former head coach.
“He’s a winner, he manages to achieve victories by expending a lot of energy,” Inter’s chief executive said about Conte.
“He puts his mind and body into it; at a certain point you get to the point where you think you should stop and reflect.
“Conte has a winner’s DNA, which is typical of lots of champions.
“He has a winning syndrome.
“He did at Juventus and at Inter, in an atmosphere where there were lots of problems.
“The Scudetto is in huge part down to Conte.”
Marotta and Piero Ausilio met a delegation from Inter’s Curva Nord at the club’s offices yesterday, following protests when news of Conte’s exit broke.
“There was a protest outside the offices yesterday,” Marotta confirmed.
“The simplest thing I thought I could do was to meet with three representatives.
“I gave a summary of the situation, the Curva understood and you saw that when they released a statement today (pledging their full support to Marotta and Ausilio).”
Asked how he felt when Inter secured their first Scudeto since 2010, Marotta revealed: “I felt an unbelievable emotion.
“Inter hadn’t won for 11 years and it was something extraordinary (to win it again).
“It wasn’t because of me, everyone deserves credit.
“The coach did an extraordinary job to create the right chemistry.”
Inter have a habit of changing coaches after winning major trophies, with Conte following in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini in that sense.
“It’s a pure coincidence,” Marotta assured.
“As far as we’re concerned, the newspapers explained things well: the world of football has become a business, where there’s greater mobility because the pressure has increased.”
Marotta also discussed his thoughts on the failed attempt to create a European Super League, as well as the chances of introducing a salary cap in football.
“The Super League is an act of great desperation, the 12 clubs involved were among the most exposed to the current unsustainable situation,” he argued.
“They realised they were already in trouble before, and then debts rose (with the COVID-19 pandemic).
“It wasn’t a rational move but it sent a message: Europe’s institutions need to intervene and create a sustainable model.
“You can’t have a salary cap in football, but there is a norm introduced for the 2021-22 season which will continue into 2022-23.
“No club can increase their operating costs compared to their financial statement on June 30 this year, and in the following years you must reduce it by 15-20%.
“This is a deterrent we can use with players.”