Samir Handanovic admits that he wasn’t a fan of how Andre Onana reacted to being benched in his first couple months at Inter Milan.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, the Slovenian looked back on his relationship with Onana, and also confirmed that he plans to stay on at Inter in a new role behind the scenes after retiring from playing.
Both Handanovic and Onana left Inter over the summer.
The pair left in quite different circumstances, however.
For former captain Handanovic, the 39-year-old decided that his eleven-year adventure with Inter was over. He departed when his contract ran out.
And in the case of Onana, the Cameroonian made the move to Manchester United.
Inter sold Onana to the Red Devils for a big fee just twelve months after they had brought him in on a free transfer.
When Onana arrived at Inter last summer, he didn’t instantly become first-choice in goal. Captain Handanovic held down his spot in the early weeks of the season.
But then, in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich in October, Onana got the nod. And from then on, the former Ajax keeper was always the Nerazzurri’s starting keeper in Europe, whilst he also largely kept Handanovic out of the lineup in Serie A as well.
But as Handanovic reveals, there was some tension behind the scenes early on when Onana was not playing.
Handanovic Admits He Had Issues With How Onana Started Life At Inter
Responding to Onana’s admission that his start at Inter “wasn’t easy,” Handanovic said “I was happy to hear him say that.”
“But I wasn’t a fan of his behaviour in those first two month, when he wasn’t playing,” the former captain.
“Then he told the truth, and I also have to add that I was always consistent with him, and I helped him.”
“And no one has mentioned that I had injuries that I suffered from last season as well,” Handanovic noted. “A wrist injury, a broken finger, and calf strain.”
“But I was always with the team on the bench, even when I was unavailable,” he continued.
“And I would never have gone against the club, due to the sense of belonging with the club and the fans.”
Confirmation That Handanovic Intends To Stay In New Role At Inter
Handanovic confirmed that “I’ve decided to stop playing.”
“I’m at peace and happy with this decision,” he continued. “I’m putting my family first.”
“Now the second half of my life begins, and for now I can say that both I and the club would like to continue working together in a new role, and the conditions are there for it to happen.”
“But above all else, I have always had a greater vision in mind,” Handanovic added. “The good of Inter.”
As far as what he’s learned at Inter, Handanovic said “The difficulty, and the joy.”
“The ownership has changed three times since I’ve been at the club,” he noted. “I arrived when the team was in its worst period, but then it’s been a beautiful crescendo.”
“The credit for the successes also goes to those who’ve been here even when things weren’t working,” Handanovic went on. “I always chose to stay, even when I had offers from big clubs.”
“I’m proud of that,” he said.
Of his most difficult season at Inter, Handanovic named “The season where we changed coaches three times was tricky.”
“The best part was feeling the team building back up to the top, something I was a part of,” he continued.
“Under Spalletti, Inter changed. We qualified for the Champions League twice, something that wasn’t to be taken for granted.”
“He put the foundations in place, then under Conte, the winning mentality was added,” Handanovic explained.
“Now it’s a well-oiled machine. Copy and paste onto the pitch.”
On Transition To Lautaro Martinez As New Inter Captain
With Handanovic’s departure this summer, Inter have a new captain.
Striker Lautaro Martinez has been the man to inherit the armband from the Slovenian.
Handanovic said that “Lautaro has all the right qualities for it.”
“But he also needs the help of a group of leaders who can pull the wagon alongside him.”
“I’m talking about the Italian core who know Serie A and the DNA of the club,” he continued.
“I’m referring to the Barellas, the Bastonis, the Darmians, the Dimarcos.”
Of coming close to winning the Champions League to sign off for his Inter career but losing to Manchester City in the final, Handanovic said that “We deserved it.”
“But I didn’t dwell on it too much, because we gave everything.”
“Paradoxically we can have more regrets about the 2021 Europa League final against Sevilla,” Handanovic said.
“After Istanbul, Inter have even more self-awareness. They know that they can beat anyone.”
Inter In Good Hands With Sommer & Audero
Asked if he believes that Inter have good goalkeepers to fill the gloves of he and Onana, Handanovic replied “Of course.”
“Sommer is a good goalkeeper, very talented. And Audero is also a great player, with the right kind of ambition after spending a lot of years in Serie A.”
“Being an Inter goalkeeper, however, isn’t an easy job. It’s only possible with time to judge a player in that role.”
And Handanovic also praised a couple of the team’s other summer acquisitions.
“Thuram and Frattesi are great players who can fit in to the team easily,” he said.
And of this evening’s Milan derby against AC Milan, Handanovic said “I don’t know who the favourite is. Especially with the variable that comes from the international break.”
“Perhaps Inter have more certainties,” the Slovenian suggested.”
“As mentioned, we built a solid foundation. All together.”
