Former Inter president Ernesto Pellegrini has said that there was more romanticism in football when he was in charge rather than now with Suning, according to a report in the Italian print media today.
Speaking during an interview with Tuttosport, Ernesto Pellegrini discussed the current Inter ownership but refused to give any proper criticism of Suning.
Diplomatically, he explained how football is a very different world now to when he was in the job and now there is less of a family aspect and more focus on making money.
“Definitely different times in football. I never sold anyone to the competition, I just bought to try and strengthen the squad. But I don’t want to comment on the actions of others, everyone is free to pursue the policy they see fit.
“In my time there was more romanticism. We really were a family: the footballers hugged me because they sincerely loved me! No one pretended or studied everything at the table.”
Suning have come under a lot of fire from Inter fans recently as they are perceived to be holding back the team with their own financial issues in China.
Another topic that Ernesto Pellegrini discussed Romelu Lukaku and his recent absence from the team through injury. He is clearly a very big fan of the Belgian forward as he called him the best striker in the world.
“We must not forget the absence of the best striker in the world: Romelu Lukaku. With him things will change a lot and positive results will return. There are many strong players, but I’ll say Barella. For me he is a little Lothar Matthaus.”
