Inter, interview with Zhang: “Conte, an inevitable divorce. Inzaghi has married the project”

Farewell to Conte, a painful but inevitable step. The president of Inter, Steven Zhang, spoke about it in the long exclusive interview granted to the Gazzetta.

Conte’s farewell shocked the Nerazzurri supporters. Was it really impossible to continue together?

“From the first moment we took over Inter we thought Conte would be the best coach for our project. Two years ago we finally managed to bring him to the Nerazzurri. I was and remain convinced that Conte is a winning coach: this is the reason that led us to invest so much in him and in the team in the last two years. Already last summer the pandemic had significantly affected our revenues but we continued with him, focusing on the season convinced that we could win. The decision was right. But now the bill brought by the pandemic is such that we cannot fail to review the situation by looking for savings that lead to a future budget balance. We must necessarily reduce costs and control risks. This obviously also influences the transfer market strategies. Our different views on the situation led to the separation. What wasn’t fundamental for him was for the club. And viceversa. Conte is a top coach, but as president I have to think about the solidity of the club ”.

What impression did Simone Inzaghi make on you during these first meetings?

“Simone has shown in recent years that he is a technician of value and experience, he has the qualities to keep our club competitive, which is what we want, but by cooperating with us to ensure that Inter remains a solid club without risks. He knows our project, he married it and we are very happy to have him here, hoping to be able to win together ”.

The complete interview also in today’s Gazzetta dello Sport.