Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti believes that head coach Simone Inzaghi fully deserved his contract renewal.
The Nerazzurri announced the extension of the manager’s contract earlier this week. The 47-year-old penned a new deal until 2025.
For his part, legendary club captain and current vice-president Zanetti believes that the coach truly earned his new contract.
“This renewal means Stability. It confirms that Simone Inzaghi is doing an excellent job,” said the Argentine in an interview with Marca via FcInterNews.
“With great serenity and personality, he kept faith in his work. The club recognized it by giving him the continuity that he has earned and deserves.”
Zanetti is happy with Inter’s positive start to the season. He’s also hoping for another memorable European run, although it won’t be easy.
“We are happy with the start. Important players have left, whom we must thank for their contributions, and new players have arrived with a great desire to prove themselves.
“We started the league by winning all three matches and demonstrating that Inter remains a competitive team.
“It will be difficult to reach another Champions League final but we don’t lack the desire to try again.
“We know that in football everything is possible, but we have to go step by step. First, we have to get through the group stage, which is very important.”
“Real Madrid is a rival that we have great respect for. Spanish football is very competitive and facing La Liga teams is very difficult.
“Man City have a complete squad. Surely, being the last champion, they will try to win it again. But I never exclude the big Spanish teams. They won this competition on many occasions.”
Inter Milan Legend Javier Zanetti Feels That Simone Inzaghi Truly Deserved His Contract Extension
The 50-year-old also touched on the subject of the Saudi Pro League emergence. He explains that his priority wasn’t to make money during his playing career.
“It’s difficult to talk about it because these are personal decisions and in which many aspects are considered.
“In my career, I had to face situations of this type, in which I could have left Inter for other important clubs.
“In my case, my priority had always laid with my place in the society, its values and its people. For me, this is more important than any figure.
“But this does not mean that going to Saudi Arabia is the worst thing in the world. These are personal decisions.”
Zanetti also identifies club captain Lautaro Martinez as the player who symbolizes everything Inter stands for. On the other hand, Romelu Lukaku is now in the past, insists the Argentine legend.
“I was the one who brought Lautaro to Inter. So I’m very pleased that, today, he’s the Inter captain and the one who represents this institution.
“Lautaro represents everything Inter stands for. He is a striker who improves every year. I hope that he gives us even more in the future.
“We wanted Lukaku to stay with us. But then, some unexpected things happened and we decided to abandon the negotiations.
“Lukaku now plays for another club. He’s part of our past. So now, as a club, we have to look to the future.”
Finally, the Inter Vice-president expects a well-balanced Scudetto race.
“I expect a very balanced campaign because I see that all the teams that have the ambition of winning the scudetto.”
