Can Antonio Conte Be The Right Man For Inter? | OneFootball

In May of 2015, Inter were sanctioned by UEFA for not complying with Financial Fair Play Regulations.The past four seasons had been difficult for the team and the club needed to make some changes. Inter adapted by spending less, acquiring young talent and developing through their Primavera squad.

Purchasing players with a high price tag was no longer an option and, if needed, had to fit within the team budget and league rules.

The club also went through changes in ownership as of 2016, majority of Erick Thohir’s stake was bought by Zhang Jindong who was co-founder and chairman of Suning Commence Group. The billionaire had bought the team when there wasn’t much stability and taken a loss in his first year with the club. Prior to Jindong joining the team, Inter’s last season in Champions League was 2009-2010, when they achieved the Treble.

The new owner encountered challenges along the way as the team had seen multiple coaches since 2010. The most successful coach in that period of time was Luciano Spalletti, who coached the team from 2017-2018 until Conte took over this summer. On the final game of the season in 2018, Inter beat Lazio 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico for the final decisive spot to qualify for the 2018-2019 season of Champions League.

During that span of time since 2010, Inter had some difficult years. In the Champions League, Inter’s squad was reduced from 25 players to 21 players, one of many penalties the club had to endure.

In October 2018, Zhang Jindong appointed his son Steven Zhang as the new chairman of the club. In the four years since breaking FFP regulations, Inter’s bank books are now balanced and the club could start winning again.

The team also chose to sack Luciano Spalletti, as they decided to bring well known and established coach Antonio Conte, who agreed to a three-year contract with the club.

The coach will bring a new philosophy to a team that has been unsuccessful in the past ten years. With no trophies and a team that had faced challenges, Inter hopes that Conte will be that person who could lead the club back to winning. Is Antonio Conte the right choice?

Antonio Conte has a history of winning throughout his career. The journeyman has won three Scudettos with Juventus, won a Premier League Title and the FA Cup with Chelsea FC. He’s also coached the National Italian squad. It’s evident that he has a track record for winning.

Conte’s teams play with possession, work from the backfield up, and are attack minded. He also tends to change his formations during the game, depending if his team are in possession or playing off the ball. The ability to change formation during the game gives his opposition more to think about. Antonio Conte is well known for creating the 3-5-2 formation that has allowed his wingers to play more freely and have two box to box midfielders play in a three man midfield.

The Italian is a leader, where he leaves the speaking on the touchline as he communicates his instructions to his team throughout the game, so after games Conte doesn’t speak as much.

The Inter coach has the ability to transition teams to his tactics and teach his formation in a short period of time. His players must have the ability to learn, understand and most importantly be patient as it will take time to instill his philosophy. Conte’s training could be extreme and intense which could cause fatigue, and injuries. It has been said that the Italian coach sleeps very little the night before his games, as he thinks a lot about his tactics and what he’s going to employ.

Inter has started off well in the transfer window this summer by purchasing players such as Diego Godin and Nicolo Barella that will help with his 3-5-2 formation. Inter has acquired a very good defensive back and midfielder which both will help bring the ball up, defend well and control the midfield as well. While Inter has acquired other players in the transfer market, the team seems far from done and Conte still desires a few additional players to fit his plans such as Manchester United Striker, Romelu Lukaku.

Conte will need to be patient as the players he wants will not come in a hurry. The past has shown that the Italian coach could be very demanding and his mouth sometimes gets him into trouble. The Inter coach needs to consider this otherwise his time with Inter could be cut short.

His team at the start of the Serie A season should have a new look. Existing and new players must be ready to work hard as the Italian coach expects the most out of his squad and wants a strong work ethic.

The biggest question that will surround the club is Mauro Icardi, as the team continues to try to sell the striker. Conte has stated that he doesn’t see him fit in his plans and this is a saga that may drag on until the end of the season or until the January transfer market re-opens.

This is a challenge for the coach as he surely won’t want it to be a distraction to the club. Sit the Argentinian striker or play him and utilize his strengths as he’s shown in the past what he can do.

Overall, let’s hope this soap opera comes to an end soon. If last season repeats itself, this could lead to a negative outcome. It’s time for the coach, management and the player to put their differences aside and decide on a mutual agreement. Selling Icardi will be difficult and the player has said many times he wants to stay, so the team should consider keeping him as they know the value he brings to the team.

Inter fans will have mixed feelings with Conte as coach, since he’s coached their rival Juventus. That should be disregarded by fans as Inter finally has a coach who is known for winning and it seems a trophy may be coming soon. Change takes time as history shows for many clubs and, with Conte’s ability, it will only be a period of time. When it does happen, Inter will be the team to challenge the Bianconeri and give them a run for their money.

Jerry Mancini

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