SempreInter.com editorialist Richard Hall explores the main differences between Honorary President Massimo Moratti and current owner and President, Indonesian media-mogul Erick Thohir.
“We asked where is the strong man in the boardroom…and nothing. We asked for clarity…and nothing. There are only two possible conclusions, dear president: absence or incompetence.” (An Internazionale banner – Curva Nord)
This banner on the Curva Nord in 2012 was devastatingly honest. More than an adequate question to be set before the then President Moratti. It mindfully avoided putting the blame on Moratti’s head, yet at the same time, in one fell swoop got straight to the heart of the problem. It did not shout ‘sack the coach out’ nor did it demand ‘sack the board’; it presented the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
It took a whole year and another Coach, before Massimo Moratti finally handed over the reins of power at the club to Erick Thohir. The steady decline that Inter had been on was typified by a ninth place finish. Orchestrated by ‘young pup’ Andrea Strammacioni, the season soon fell apart. The promise of a new dawn was quickly thrown out by the treble winning veterans in the dressing room. As the pledges of ‘NextGen youth’ dwindled like a candle in Stramacioni’s window, it was soon blown out by Moratti, as he indulged the death rolls of his ageing heroes.
A year had been lost, debts mounted around the Milanese club as the wages poured into the pockets of a team that should have been disbanded after the treble winning season. There were the exceptions of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso who continued to impress on occasion.
Walter Mazzari’s appointment by Moratti as head Coach, was met with few cheers and perhaps even fewer hopes. Even if he could, like a brilliant sculptor, manipulate this squad into his 3-5-2 formation it would still be insipid and carry stragglers. The season at the half way point seemed both stagnant and aroused the same discussion as he last. Jonathan’s crossing and defensive lapses, the enigma of Yuto Nagatomo and curious case of Zdravko Kuzmanovic.
It was in this moment that Moratti did what many thought would be the impossible and moved aside for Erick Thohir. Perhaps like Napoleon, when Moratti’s Old Guard fell, it was time to retreat, at least he wouldn’t have to move to Elba.
Since then changes have slowly been emerging and despite the cynicism of some Nerazzurri, they have been for the better. There is a freshness and new lease of life that has surrounded the Giuseppe Meazza this summer. Much of this is down to their new Indonesian Chief.
Firstly Thohir has money to spend, the purchase of Hernanes was an early indication that he wanted to improve the squad. Since the Goldman Sachs bank has given him the go ahead to purchase the club and clear its debts he has the chance to make Inter a force. According to Italian media sources the new Inter chief, will invest €200m into the club. This will allow the Indonesian to become a majority shareholder and clear the debts accrued under Moratti as previously mentioned.
The level of Thohir’s footballing knowledge is unknown to anybody that isn’t close to him. Even if however, he knows every goal scorer of the Treble winning season, he will still have more perspective than Moratti. Moratti had fallen too deeply for his heroes and as the banner stated, even the Ultras had realised in 2012 that it was the end. This perspective will allow Thohir to go from day to day working in a new direction that isn’t intertwined with the men who did so much for the club back in 2010.
Understanding of global markets is another huge asset the President brings. This is an area that has not just been missed by Inter but by many clubs in Serie A. Thohir is well known in Indonesia and with Inter’s supporters club in that country being the largest on the continent, there is certainly potential to maximise the Asian market. This combined with his knowledge of how to develop teams in the US (DC United and NBA’s Philadelphia’s 76ers) as well as basketball teams in his own country, all gives him a great deal of experience to pass on to the Nerazzurri marketing team.
Timing has also been an asset for him. This perhaps is luck? Perhaps not but either way it has allowed him to make changes that Moratti may have thought about doing but did not have the courage. One example is that Diego Milito, Cambiasso and Captain Javier Zanetti have moved on and this allows him a real fresh start. His team have now got a superb mix of youth and experience and look like they could challenge next season, for Europe and even the Champions League. Zanetti moving to the board room also is a clever move, whilst the departure of Antonio Conte from Juventus and the Milanese implosion will also help.
Stability has been brought about in the way he trusted Coach Walter Mazzarri. The ex-Napoli boss underwhelmed last season and seemed often out of ideas and stagnant. Little by little the new Inter President has breathed new life into his Coach and as they prepare to face the new season his squad look to be as invigorated as he is. The energy and vison seems to have seeped through to the players and with continued trust in both, Inter look like they could prove tough to beat next term.
Thohir may have raised eyebrows at first, just like the American owners did at Roma. This is short sighted however as the difference and feel of this pre-season far outweighs the negativity and doom and gloom of the past.
Inter are reborn, they are hungry and they have a clear vision. The banners on the Curva Nord may well read differently this year, their President is neither absent nor incompetent.
Do you agree with Richard? Discuss below in the comments section.
