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Inter Milan: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Joao Mario of FC Internazionale (L) and Javier Zanetti pose for a photo prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Citta di Palermo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Joao Mario of FC Internazionale (L) and Javier Zanetti pose for a photo prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Citta di Palermo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images) /
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MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Head coach FC Internazionale Frank de Boer reacts during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Southampton FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Milan, . (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Head coach FC Internazionale Frank de Boer reacts during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Southampton FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Milan, . (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/Inter via Getty Images) /

Hope #1: That they can find a manager that they like.

Over the past six seasons an eight managers have come into the San Siro with the hope of re-igniting the fire within Inter Milan. It is actually quite an impressive list. Rafa Benitez, Leonardo, Giani Piero Gaspirini, Claudio Ranieri, Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri, Roberto Mancini,  and now Frank de  Boer. Between the eight they have three Serie A titles, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, four Eredivisie titles, a Champions League title, seven Coppa Italias, and two UEFA Manager of the Year awards. Yet aside from Mancini in his first tenure none of them have been successful at the San Siro. Why?

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In part it seems to be ownership’s inability to find a style of play and stick with it. Under Thohir and their previous owner Massimo Moratti the team seemed to almost drift between styles going for flavors of the week and not really giving coaches time to implement their system.

Aside from Gaspirini, Stramaccioni, and Leonardo these are all managers who have years of experience and some level of success before coming to the San Siro. So why not give them the opportunity to show what they can do over an extended period?

Although it seems a bit odd to try an implement a Dutch style of play in Serie A de Boer needs to be given time to show what he can do. Inter has struggled early in the season, losing three of their first seven matches in Serie A (3-2-2, 11 points)  and two matches in Europa League play (2-0-2, 6 points).

But de Boer has the pedigree and the experience to turn this around and should be given time to build a rapport with his players. Plus whatever quick fix that they think they have lined up will not give them the desired results (i.e. titles).

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