Inter president Beppe Marotta gave a wide-ranging interview on Radio Anch’io Lo Sport, discussing the future of the Nerazzurri, Italian football, pushing again for an 18-team Serie A, the controversial Club World Cup, and inevitably the transfer market.
On the National Team
“I was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the team and coach at the national team camp. We are reigning champions so a target, but it’s a group with great human and technical bases. The team has the right average age and will give us great satisfaction when they reach peak maturity.”
World Cup for Clubs and 18-Team Serie A
“This World Cup, while a source of pride, represents further congestion of calendars…I explicitly say Serie A should be reduced to 18 teams. If on one side the World Cup is a showcase, on the other we must protect the players’ workload which is no longer sustainable. The injury risk is very high.”
Frattesi
“Frattesi is another very valid, modern element. His strength is grit but he can also adapt tactically as asked by Inzaghi and Spalletti. Football demands versatile players.”
Funds
“Today there are 10 foreign ownerships in Serie A. Investors like Oaktree want continuity and transparency, but also financial rigidity. It seems right: no crazy spending, yes to enhancing youngsters. This must be our motto.”
Saudi Arabia
“We are no longer football’s El Dorado, today a transitional league. Those who come are often attracted by huge wages abroad and it’s hard to keep them. Our ability is replacing them worthily without paying exorbitant costs.”
Agents
“Crazy spending? Absolutely yes, last season we spent €1 billion on commissions, money leaving the system. I understand and respect the profession, but situations are often unclear and need regulating.”
Inzaghi
“Compared to emerging coaches, Inzaghi is very young with time for experience. He’s an excellent modern coach, with human qualities matching his competence. He has huge pressure as a world club’s coach with results expected, but I’m very satisfied and optimistic about his future. Hopefully he stays many years.”
Conte
“I hope our league becomes more and more attractive by having multiple title contenders. The hope is to see ourselves as Italian champions again, but I’m happy the league is becoming more competitive.”
Stadium
“The stadium issue in Italy is significant. We have great difficulties due to bureaucratic delays risking scaring away potential investors. The stadiums average over 70 years old. We struggle to enhance the asset like the rest of Europe.”
Lautaro
“He has virtually already signed, we just need to collect the signature. It’s a matter of days but we consider the renewal already secured.”
Objectives
“We set no limits. We are Inter, a historic club that has won many trophies. The objective is to always be competitive. The second star is extraordinary, we saw this mass of fans celebrate the team, showing Inter and football are great social phenomena.”
