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Claudio Ranieri is no more Inter coach. Sacked. Replaced with Andrea Stramaccioni, who last Sunday led Inter Primavera to win the inaugural NextGen Series, after a penalty shoot-out against Ajax. Inter are out of the UEFA Champions League, out of the Coppa Italia, 8th placed in serie A with 12 defeats - one less than the club's negative record of 13 reached in 1947/48. Not what you'd call a successful season.
Andrea Stramaccioni, 36-year, will be Inter's 6th coach in the last two years: he comes after Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Leonardo, Giampiero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri. A small fraction of a list that includes also the likes of Ottavio Bianchi, Luis Suarez, Roy Hodgson, Luciano Castellini, Gigi Simoni, Mircea Lucescu, Marcello Lippi, Marco Tardelli, Hector Cuper, Alberto Zaccheroni, Roberto Mancini. More than a risolute acceleration towards the future, this appointment seems just the typical humoral decision of Massimo Moratti.
Those lists speak clearly enough. Everyone knows that any coach is under threat with Moratti after a couple of consecutive setbacks. Ranieri was heavily criticised in these pages several times, but he deserved to end this campaign in charge. It would have given a sign of stability and direction to everyone, players included. It would have set a new standard. Inter players know only too well that if things go wrong the coach will be sacked. They can keep on losing, underperforming, but sure to restart under a new coach as if they were not part of the problem. How many coaches have been sacrificed on these players' altar?
Easy sackings is a very short term policy typical of owners like Moratti or Abramovich, desperate to win with no clue nor interest in building a strong basis for success. Chairmen interested only in getting trophies, not in establishing a permanent combination of style, structure, philosophy that will help the consistency of the club quest for success. Moratti's love for Inter is undeniable, and a true value in times of Russian or Arab owners buying clubs random, with no passion and no knowledge of their history. Inter are run by a lover, sure. With all the stops and gos that you can have in any adolescent love affair.
Nearly every year is a year zero at Inter. You can go for Guardiola or Hiddink or Mourinho or Capello or Villas Boas, offering them the same white sheet, as the club in these years failed to establish even a tactical identity. Zanetti playing in nearly any role between defense and midfield, and changing position every two-three games, is metaphoric of Inter's short term policy: instead of using their most consistent player in the best position for him (and so establishing at least one certainty), the captain has been used to fix the holes here and there. It can be OK for a while but if this habit becomes permanent the lack of strategy and vision is evident. All coaches very in line with a board used to play it by ear.
Stramaccioni is younger than Zanetti but older than Andre Villas Boas, who's great chances to be Inter's next coach. Stramaccioni has the potential to be a success, as Villas Boas did at Porto. The former Primavera coach has the qualities, not the experience yet, of the Portuguese. They can be both good long term appointments but, under Moratti, none of them is sure to last longer than Rafa Benitez if results don't come straight away.
At the moment there are only two managers who couldn't fail at Inter: Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello. They are the only two who would accept the job on their own terms. Mourinho is not a viable option now, so Capello is the only one left. Serie A will be Inter's only target next season and Capello knows better than anyone how to win this league. He did it with AC Milan, Roma and Juventus. Inter will be the fourth team. He's big enough to impose his views on the board, to dictate the signings and to block any player power. Capello is not my favourite choice, that would be Zdenek Zeman (as said several times), but would be perfect for Inter.
Comments
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Posted by Sanat on 03/27/2012
How can we hire Capello as Inter coach? There is clearly an ideological conflict there. You cannot possibly have a guy who is more anti-Inter than him. Though we did have Leo and Ranieri before him so who knows what the board is going to do. But overall I would be against Capello, his Bianconeri past will be a sticking point.
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Posted by Sanat on 03/27/2012
@Gianni
Is AVB going to demand a very high salary? Are there any figures being quoted? I know that we won't have to pay a compensation figure unlike if we had signed him last year. (which btw may turn out to be nearly the same as the compensations paid to our sacked managers and potentially lost UCL revenue)
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Posted by CaptainFerguson10 on 03/27/2012
Disgraceful management from Moratti, Benitez and Gasperini were awful short-term appointments while Leonardo was probably the best manager since Mourinho left. Though Moratti himself is too blame for selling assets like Eto and Motta, only to replace them with inferior players like Poli, Polombo and Zarate.
It's falling apart at Inter, and fans aren't happy. I am especially unhappy with players like Sneider trying his best it seems to move away, though now who can blame him with no Champions league next year!
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Posted by Nathan on 03/27/2012
I too thought Ranieri should finish the year, but I did start to waver when Inter proved incapable of scoring.
Right or wrong, I can't say this surprises me. Moratti was in London instead of Turin and he clearly thinks highly of Stramaccioni. History does indeed tell us that any coach is always under threat at Inter, but I have a feeling that next year may be different. Financial Fair Play and the profoundly obvious need to get younger could be strong motivating factors.
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Posted by Sia on 03/27/2012
My first question to Gianni and Interisti is Stramaccioni only the temporary manager until season is over? Will Moratti look for a full time coach before next season?
Second question is, despite of what Gianni wrote in this blog about Inter sacking coaches too often which is a negative approach and I agree, but in this case what other solution would be good for Inter?
The entire problem is that Media drove Mou out of Italy, since Inter is the Black sheep of Italian football, the anti-Inter groups (Media part of it) made sure to drive Mou out, because with Mou in charge of Inter, there was no stop to Inter's success.
Lastly I think any change at this juncture was better than no change at all, Ranieri was a bad choice to begin with, same with Gasp, they had nothing to bring to Inter and sadly we saw how it ended. Moratti needs a game plan before buying coaches and after Mou he didn't have one, so Inter paid the price as always.
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Posted by Nathan on 03/27/2012
@ CaptainFerguson10
I am not sure how one can use the word "disgraceful" in the same sentence with Moratti. One would think that Intercampus alone would be enough to prevent such an assessment.
I am also growing profoundly weary of people going on about Eto'o, Motta, and Leonardo. Inter would have to have taken leave of their senses to pass on the Eto'o and Motta deals and Leonardo wanted the role that was only available to him at PSG. Poli is most assuredly not an inferior player, and Palombo and Zarate are in on loan. Put things in context. As Inter supporters we have enjoyed a stretch of nearly preposterous success. Now it is time for a new phase.
Inter does not have massive TV money and stadium revenue keeping the ship afloat. What we have is Moratti. I get as frustrated as anyone when he suddenly loses patience and starts over, but it the price we pay.
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Posted by Anders on 03/27/2012
What about Laurent Blanc? His contract with France expires after the 2012 summer and he have played for Inter earlier.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 03/27/2012
I'm excited. In terms of coaching, i know Gianni you mention that managers shouldn't be sacrificed because of players and time after time, they know that if they don't perform...the coach will be released.
But i feel this is the KEY for inter. Why does everyone love mourinho?? His style, his passion, his rapport with his players makes them want to go out and fight for not only the club... but for him! you need a manager that can instill that much passion in a team. None of our choices so far have been able to do that, with the exception of Leonardo...who actually did fairly well!!
Especially with an aging squad, we need a coach who can get these guys excited and even if they know that moratti is quick to pull the trigger... if they care about the manager enough, the players will go out and be motivated and fight on the field to get the results needed to keep the coach.
The mourinho hangover can only be ended by a dynamic, player-oriented coach. Not those in the rafa mold...
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Posted by Mustafa on 03/27/2012
Moratti is looking at Marcelo Bielsa and Zeman for Inter. Confirmed.
I hear Milanisti and Juventini are saying that if we get those managers we will need an all new setup for Inter. Our defense will have to start from scratch.
Also, if Stramaccioni wins all matches from now until the end of the season, he will be given the keys to Moratti's kingdom.
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Posted by Zaid on 03/28/2012
I view the sacking of Ranieri as Moratti & Co acknowledgement that the new era have to start now rather than wait for the season end.
Therefore, I see it as a very good and commendable move by Moratti & Co. They acknowledged that this season is over and wanted to start the new era ASAP. The new coach, whether temporary or not, shall have more time to prepare the ground work for the new era.
I wonder if Moratti & Co read this blog and see the many comments we put here and choose to act on it!
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Posted by Tony on 03/28/2012
@Nathan...right on once again!
The players at Inter have little respect for the coaches that Moratti seems to bring in. I am not sure they will have any respect for a lame duck coach as Stramaccioni who has nothing but a U19 title to show them. In some respect, I agree with Gianni that only someone like Capello could handle this squad going forward. However, I don't think Capello is interested whatsoever.
As I have stated before, I thought Ranieri was not to blame for the individual errors of the players on the field. If Inter scored 2 or 3 against Juve would we have hailed Ranieri as a genius and the old players as revived heroes? Seems unlikely to me. I would love to hear Moratti say just once that the players share the bulk of the blame for this season. Neither Moratti nor Ranieri or even Gasperini refused to simply mark on set pieces. Maicon, Chivu and Lucio make a habit out of it and the results show it.
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Posted by CaptainFerguson10 on 03/28/2012
@ Nathan
I'm 'profoundly' stunned by your natively! I never said Moratti was a disgrace, however his handling of the club ever since Mourihno left was frankly been shambolic. I respect the man for putting his personal fortunate into the club, up until recently for little gain. Though history tells us that selling assets like Seedorf and Pirlo for peanuts, and recruiting nomads for inflated prices shows ill judgement!
Moving on to the players, the players performances have been disgraceful however the instability over managers has probably contributed to that. Sneijder was primed for sale until Eto'o was sold, hence his lack of focus. Alvarez, Johnathan, and the loans of Poli, Zarate and Polombo are not good enough to mount any serious title challenge. And Forlan, well ask Moratti what he thinks of him!
The fair play agenda has spooked Moratti, yet rebuilding work should of taken place after the Champ league win not now while in a weaken state. The youth set provides feint hope!
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Posted by Nathan on 03/28/2012
It is peculiar to attempt a back and forth when comments are sometimes delayed by many hours.
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Posted by Nathan on 03/28/2012
@ CaptainFerguson10 - I am going to operate under the assumption that you meant "naivety" by I am still bemused. I did not say that you called Moratti a disgrace, I indicated that I did not understand how you could refer to anything he did as disgraceful. And I still don't understand it.
People have always had great fun claiming that Inter is run in a "shambolic" manner, it has been Marcotti's favorite hobby horse for some time. He claimed that letting Vieri go to Milan was a HUGE mistake. Just for fun, perhaps you could name the last time Inter recruited a "nomad" for an "inflated price".
This is what Moratti thinks of Forlan, as of yesterday: "He's not disappointed me either as person nor as a player. What is disappointing is that he hasn't been able to show what he can do, perhaps he can now start to do that."
The club loses money even when hugely successful. This is Serie A after all.
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Posted by Angel on 03/29/2012
I have read in the news that inter plan an investment of 60 million into the team for next season. If inter want to rebuilt, they need a coach with character and will to rebuilt the team from ground up. I have respect for new coach Stramaccioni and for his degree of character he has brought to the youth academy. I mean even Balotelli flew to milan unexpectedly just to be in his press conference to greet him. That just shows how much respect and love they have for the young coach.
But talking long term, the only serious option to go with is Marcelo Bielsa...period. He is someone that commands respect, and can change things around. He has done it at club level and international level. If Moratti is serious about making a change, he is the ideal man to lead inter back to glory. He has coached Zanetti, Samuel, and has coached against the likes of Maicon and Lucio, he understands how they play. But most importantly, he is not afraid to bench players, or incorporate youth to his system.
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Posted by Sam on 03/29/2012
Nice assessment Gianni, Ranieri probably deserved to last the season but I guess Moratti felt he had nothing to lose in appointing Stramaccioni after the Next gen success. If he does well then appoint him for the job.
I think the most important thing in all this is that the club gets an identity. Look at Milan. They know what style they play, what players they need and they get good deals.
Inter play counter but buy players suited to a wide range of styles. This is no recipe for success.
I have also read people complain about Eto'o, Motta etc being sold. Unfortunately due to FFP we had to sell them. We have a lot of older players on a lot of money who will not get a better contract elsewhere so we are forced to sell the players we get good offers for. We can only invest in new players if we can clear out salaries of the old ones. It isnt Moratti's fault although it could have been planned better in terms of contracts running out. I hope Stramaccioni does well and stays on next year
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Posted by Sam on 03/29/2012
@Angel
I think any investment will be dependant on who they can get rid off. With FFP coming in next year they will need to remove a few of the big salaries from the roster. I would say that Sneijder will be actively marketed both because he has a huge wage and would still command a 20mill odd fee. Chivu is off contract, and I think a few of the other high earners will be marketed. Problem is most of them will not get the same sort of wages they command at Inter.
Once that is done then Inter can look at what players they can afford. Fans have to see though that the days of splashing the massive money on players is probably gone and Inter will be behind, Madrid, Chelsea, Barca, United, City etc when it comes to signing players.
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Posted by Mustafa on 03/29/2012
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Posted by CaptainFerguson10 on 03/29/2012
@ Nathan - Firstly thanks for correcting my spelling mistake.
Unlike Gabriel Marcotti (if he does so) I do not accept 'making fun' of Massimo Moratti, in many regards I feel sorry for him as it's taken a decade to achieve outright success yet now all is crumbling around him. However it is quite legitimate to ask serious questions about Moratti handling of the club, recent events have shown failings in that regard.
Italy is rapidly heading towards bankruptcy and Serie A isn't immune from that, yet as I mentioned before Inter should of moved to rebuilding and re-marketing after 2010 Champ league success. Instead Moratti stood still, now Inter will lose heavily for not been in next years Champions league. And I still don't see the sense in paying millions in loan fees for Zarate, Guarin and co for whom most will go back next year anyway?
As for wastage of money, Johnathan and arguably Alvarez this season alone is bad enough! 18 million euros combined, money well spent Nathan?
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Posted by Moty.G on 03/30/2012
whoever wrote this article and more loves the word SACKED.Dont you think its a bit harsh. There are many other words you can use. Imagine if you will be Sacked from what you are doing, how would you feel?
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Posted by Nathan on 03/30/2012
CaptainFerguson10 -
I think it would be good for all of us to accept the proper frame of reference. When I think of poorly run clubs with seemingly no chance of success, I think of Real Zaragoza, FC Koln, Palermo, Portsmouth, etc. Inter competes in a league where 3 teams have a realistic chance of winning the championship. The right player infusion and the right coach and Inter is right back on top. There is no Barca, Manchester United, or Real Madrid blocking their path.
As far as Jonathan and Alvarez go, Jonathan cost them 5 million. If he never accomplishes anything it was a reasonable risk. I am convinced that Alvarez will come good.
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Posted by nima on 03/30/2012
I think CR should have finished the season, however, I also think Strama as coach could be genius as he could implement a change in philosophy as Pep did with youth development at barca. At his core Strama is all about youth and hopefully this will be the new direction for future success - which Moratti will be credited for. If Strama loses control or fall short as many before have then Moratti will be excused as he can argue Strama was a short term solution. Either way Moratti can cover his back. I'm hoping the likes of coutinho, cristeg, borini, Duncan etc will start playing more of a role. Moratti is at risk of killing inter due to his passion for the club but at the moment it seems like a crime of passion. Forlan was a pathetic purchase showing desperation. We've loaned too many good youngsters out. What happened to khrin? Kerlon? Throughout his reign Moratti has been concerned about short term but his decision for Strama is a good sign. Hopefully he'll be given at LEAST 2 seasons.
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Posted by Nathan on 03/30/2012
@ nima
Rene Khrin is at Bologna on a co-ownership deal. He is not better than what they already have. Kerlon is back in Brazil. He is definitely not good enough to play at Inter. Forlan could not play well if he wasn't fit, and he was injured on international duty so I do not know that we can call him pathetic just yet.
The whole point of loaning good youngsters out is so that they can play. Countinho was not going to start in front of Sneijder.
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Posted by darren cheah on 03/31/2012
moratti should hire coach lik jose mourinho or pep in order to become big player in europe . to add the worst diego forlan which moratti bought frm atletico madrid is nt effective as well and can be define as a flop in inter squad ...
hire coach like harry or pep pr jose will be benefit inter and become series A champion like couple season ago which inter are a team that all team want to beat
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Posted by Yitbarek on 03/31/2012
This is my first response though i never miss ur blogs but I cant agree on ur idea. u cannot falt the no. 1 supporter of Inter, Moratti for the failers of Inter in the last ten years at list. by no means u can accuse him of being over reactive more than the owners of Lazio, Palermo, millan, and Juve.
for the amount of $ he spend it is normal to expect acceptable result.
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Posted by Sam on 03/31/2012
@Nathan: Coutinho was a victim of the style of football rather than being behind Sneijder. Coutinho's strongest or favoured position is on the left side in an attacking formation so say a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. Neither formation suited Ranieri's plan. There were a number of occasions when Sneijder was injured and the CAM position was available for Coutinho but Ranieri chose other players or changed to a flat 4-4-2 with no attacking midfield.
So I think Coutinho's loan was tactical rather than another player being in front of him.
To be honest, unless Inter decide to change from a counter attacking club with a defensive mindset, so a more attacking possession, quick passing team then I cant see Coutinho having much impact at Inter. His characteristics are not suited to our typical style which is a real shame. Only time will tell I guess
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Posted by Sia on 03/31/2012
After Strama's 9 game season is over, I think Marcelo Bielsa or Mou again are the best options for Inter as a coach.
Mou always had said he never closed the door for his return back to Inter, Marcelo Bielsa also has a solid background with great coaching experience to rebuild Inter again.
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Posted by Russell on 05/11/2012
It seems to me that he did in fact want them but the negotiation pecorss turned sour after chelsea became unwilling to compromise they had a figure set in their heads that they did not wish to change thus inter left the negotiating table. Inter will buy gallas for reinforcement at the back and have already purchased milito for the midfield quaresma and mancini will do well with the pre season training and inter will look a completely different squad as the players are now accustomed to the training routine so they will be less likely to gain injuries from training. Chelsea boss ancelotti will feel the wrath after a string of bad results and will not be allowed to turn it around as he did with ac milan. he will be sacked and the chelsea merry go round will continue. No player will follow a coach to chelsea anymore as its obvious coaches are like toilet paper there
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About
Gianni Serra is a European football journalist. He currently writes for lechampions.it, covering international club competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the CAF Champions League, the O-League. You can follow him on twitter: @gianniserra20
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