“Embarrassed No, but… I was surprised. The words from Ernesto is a tremendous act of love for Inter and a great proof of his friendship with me., He’s right: you have to love football teams. He called me and said: Massimo do you mind if I say these things, No problem, I said. He’s a great gentleman.” In the interview with Gazzetta dello Sport Massimo Moratti spoke about the causes of the impending sale of the shares (probably the majority) to Erick Thohir.
For real, do you have any doubts? Is the game against nostalgia still open?
“Nostalgia, by definition, is always behind us. This limits acts of love, mine as well as Pellegrini’s… No, I’ve decided to look ahead.”
But aren’t you attracted by the idea of a group of friends who intervene for passion and maybe even sanitizes a little debt as well?
“The debts, the debts, you’re always talking about them, But it’s the wrong way to look at it. Inter’s debt is similar to that of many other big clubs and I don’t worry about it at all. It’s largely a reflection of my person and it’s divided in a solid way. I could easily go on alone. The problem is not the debt, the real problem is turnover. Resources are needed for development: a commercial theme, which I myself don’t want to define as an industry, in football, it sounds so bad… What I care about is the team’s future. And it can’t be separated from an expansion of the brand in the international market.”
Okay, but from that to transfer a large part of your heart to an Indonesian billionaire is a big difference… Is there really no alternative? Is it perhaps an avatar of Moratti responding, it’s undoubtedly a voice without emotion.
“You see, for many years, the Italian football – and I take on my share of the blame – has been winning on the pitches, but financially we played a homegame. We lived on TV rights and signings on the transfer market. They are also needed, for God’s sake, it creates identity and cohesion among the fans, I’m the first heir to a team. But today we’re not able to create a system with outdated stadiums, without a format that can really attract the world’s interest. Creating a solid market abroad takes time and is difficult and costly. The competition is also very strong. Through the introduction of an Asian partner, for example, the market it brings to you. It forces you to change direction and leadership habits. It opens up the world and new resources almost automatically. In short, it internationalizes you more than a treble… ”
Really, the legendary treble. Perhaps Moratti’s new way of thinking can be traced back there, to this season intoxicated with triumphs that were recently and now it’s a long time ago, the commercial irritation, rationality, and the disappointment that now forces him to give voice and reason to your avatar. From these titles, Inter in fact, didn’t manage to capitalize anything, other than the greatest immaterial joy by winning them after decades of longing. Economically, the treble didn’t trigger a cycle of development. However, it marked a high point, a prelude to a rapid decline. The development of the budget is merciless: In 2010, the Inter had 251 million in revenue, today 170. Of course, the contribution from the Champions League is missing, but the distance to the big international clubs has increased.
“Treble? An immense joy and an equally big missed opportunity, that was how it was. Inter are like a daughter, a beautiful girl with extraordinary gifts. An old-fashioned girl… You do everything so that she can have fun, because it’s the right thing. But there comes a time when it is appropriate to send her to university. The discipline and training are the key to her development. Only then she learns to fend for herself. Inter have reduced their costs and salaries dramatically, but this is useless if turnover decrease. I repeat, it’s not a matter of survival. It’s about development and must be resolved with strong innoviation. Inter is worth much more than it produces in the form of turnover. The brand should be strengthened at the international level for the club to have a future in line with its tradition.”
From the figures to the curse of the treble there’s no escape: wages in 2010 amounted to 235 million, today they have been reduced by half, but the losses in the balance sheet has been stable over 70 million. Thohir, or anyone, it is not a concession to the feelings, it is a rational necessity. Will the fans understand? Will Pellegrini be satisfied with the answers?
“I understand them definitely, our supporters. My first thought is on them because Inter is for those who love the club. Believe me, I act for them. And I also understand Pellegrini, his proposal and affection is just proof that Inter has matured hugely and has an unused value that must be released in the future. On the other hand, a possible arrival for Thohir wouldn’t be in contradiction with other partners that represent Inter’s world enterring…”
And in all this, what role will Moratti obtain?
“Inter will be a club run in a modern and international way. If needed, I will stay to give my contribution. But please don’t mythicize my role. I ask the fans: symbolic presidents often become a cork. Inter is not my personal thing. Ultimately, I have never liked the throne. ”
Source: fcinternews.it
