Inter CEO Beppe Marotta On Suning’s Steven Zhang: “He Has Reiterated His Long-Term Commitment To Inter” | OneFootball

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SempreInter.Com

·22 October 2021

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta On Suning’s Steven Zhang: “He Has Reiterated His Long-Term Commitment To Inter”

Article image:Inter CEO Beppe Marotta On Suning’s Steven Zhang: “He Has Reiterated His Long-Term Commitment To Inter”

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has emphasised the commitment that Suning has to Inter’s long term project, according to a report in the Italian media today.

Speaking during an interview with Corriere della Sera, Beppe Marotta explained that Steven Zhang has a passion for the club and that there is a clear commitment from Suning.


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“Our condition is on a par with the other clubs and we are paying our salaries regularly, even the last of September. The financial contraction is linked to the lost revenue from Covid.

“Our shareholders in 5 years have put in €1 billion, ethically it is not sustainable. We came out of the tunnel.

“There is stability, cash gives peace of mind. Zhang has passion. The president has repeatedly reiterated his long-term commitment to Inter.”

In the interview, Beppe Marotta lamented the difficulties that many Italian clubs have in making the same sort of money that either European sides can.

“We need competent properties, stability and continuity. Even to the detriment of sporting results. To recover, you need enhancement of one’s resources, containment of costs and increase in structures. The winner is not the one who spends the most, it is better to bring to life the value of competence.”

This led the CEO to discuss the failed Super League project from earlier in 2021 which whilst he accepts was not approached well by Inter, still highlights the need for a change in football.

“A cry of alarm, of desperation, of some companies with a strong competitive objective. The organizational model must be revised. We could have acted better, but the end justifies the means.”

Beppe Marotta also took aim at UEFA and FIFA for their insistence on increasing the size of tournaments and adding more and more games to the footballing calendar.

“The Champions League will increase by 100 games in 2024. Fifa wants the World Cup every two years: but where is the protection of companies? If I give you a player for two months why do I have to pay him?”

Beppe Marotta believes that the Italian state needs to take a closer look at how clubs can generate more money, the most obvious way being to own their own stadiums to maximise matchday revenues.

“The attention of the state is lacking. In Europe in the last 10 years, 153 new stadiums have been built and €19.8 billion was invested. In Italy only one.

“The Ministry of Sport must be reintroduced. Sport represents an incredible industrial sector, an excellence of Made in Italy. The recovery plan will bring €235 billion, football and sport must play an important part.”

Focusing on finances, Beppe Marotta also pointed out that Romelu Lukaku will be making much more money at Chelsea, and also added that Simone Inzaghi will be given time at Inter.

“I sell him for 115 million and replace him with Dzeko for nothing: there is no such gap on the pitch. Lukaku went away to take double, in Italy certain figures cannot exist.

“Inter can win the Scudetto but we must not dispense with illusions, but ambition is an integral part of the club. The goal remains to qualify for the Champions League.

“Inzaghi is working well, he must be given the time to get to know the Inter phenomenon. Maybe some goals were avoidable, we need to improve there.”

It is clear that Beppe Marotta is still working to get Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella to sign new deals, as well as Marcelo Brozovic.

“For Barella and Lautaro there will be gratification and an extension. Brozovic, on the other hand, is about to expire, it will take a little longer, but I have faith.”

Finally, Beppe Marotta remained coy on his future with Inter but admitted he may look for a role outside of football clubs when he is done with the Nerazzurri.

“My future? Let’s wait for Zhang to come back, I think we can continue together. After the Inter experience, I will look for something outside the clubs. I like sports politics, maybe I would like an institutional role.”

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