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In 2009-10, Inter Milan literally had the footballing world at their feet.
The Nerazzurri had already won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia when captain Javier Zanetti stepped up in the Santiago Bernabeu to hoist the European Cup aloft, thus completing a momentous treble for the Italian team.
Unfortunately in May 2010, Inter manager Jose Mourinho agreed a deal to manage Real Madrid and left the Italian club racing round to secure a new manager. The club appointed Rafael Benitez, who was promptly sacked as results dipped, and his replacement Leonardo was also sacked after a short time in charge.
Gian Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri came and went before the club finally settled on then current Inter youth coach Andrea Stramaccioni. However, Stramaccioni looks to be severely out of his depth though as Inter’s recent results have reflected.
Massimo Moratti has shown he is not afraid to wield the hatchet when it comes to replacing managers, but he may have swung it one too many times. The relatively inexperienced Stramaccioni, who admittedly has struggled this year, is generally held responsible, but he shouldn’t be forced to shoulder all the blame for Inter’s problems.
Moratti has gone bargain basement shopping in the recent transfer markets as demonstrated by his acquisitions of Thomas Rocchi, Freddy Guarin and Juan Jesus. Stramaccioni hasn’t been backed financially as Mourinho was because the money just isn’t there anymore.
Inter’s player sales for last year accounted for £45 million, yet purchases accounted for only £25 million which was divided among 12 players. The days of Moratti shattering the world transfer record for Ronaldo and Christian Vieri are seemingly over and players like Hernan Crespo and Roberto Baggio are all but a distant memory.
This proud club are probably going to miss out on the Champions League this year and the issue Inter need to address is where do they go from here?
A center back is a priority to play alongside Walter Samuel. Since losing Lucio to Juventus, Andrea Ranocchia has come into the team and struggled for form. Juan Jesus and Jonathon have also been appalling as defenders and as a result, Inter have been conceding too many goals.
Wide men are also a priority as Yuto Nagatomo and Ricky Alvarez have struggled for form and goals. A creative midfielder to replace Wesley Sneijder is needed but won’t come cheap, and neither will a quality forward required to propel Inter back into contention.
The rebuilding process will take time and money so Inter’s fans will have to be patient, but Moratti has to back Stramaccioni financially as he did with Mourinho should he wish to lift the dark clouds that have descended around the Giuseppe Meazza recently.
James Hilton is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook or add him to your network on Google
