Inter Club Focus: Farewell Il Capitano

Date: 30th April 2014 at 6:59pm
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Inter were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Napoli at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in round 35 of Serie A, a result which gradually edges the side towards their target of Europa League qualification.

This latest result will have frustrated fans of the Nerazzurri, but it is a useful indicator to gauge where Walter Mazzarri’s side are ahead of the upcoming summer mercato and what changes the club needs to make going forward.

One change which will have a significant impact upon Inter on and off the pitch in the long-term is the announcement of Javier Zanetti’s impending retirement at the end of the season.

Inter’s club president Erick Thohir confirmed the news on Tuesday, stating that the captain will retire and take up a role within the club’s management structure.

“The meetings with Zanetti have been going on for the last couple of months to understand his vision. This discussion is done already, he’ll become part of the management.”

Zanetti’s retirement marks the end of an era for Inter, where their old guard are departing and a new tide of younger talent are trying to break through and ride a wave to success.

Walter Mazzarri - InterWhen the Argentine player ruptured his Achilles tendon in a match last year many feared the worst, that it could be the end of a great man’s career. Inter’s faithful dreaded that they may not get to see their devoted leader play one last game in front of them and they may not get to applaud him onto the pitch at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. However, as Zanetti has always done, he came back, ever Mr. consistent and returned to appear under Mazzarri’s leadership this season.

It was an incredible comeback for a man of 40 years of age to return from a career threatening injury and just to appear in the Inter first team once more says it all. His professionalism is second to none and a trait all too rarely seen these days in a time of divas and selfie taking prima donnas.

He has been ever present in an era where Inter have gone through too many changes. First joining the club in 1995 as former club president Massimo Moratti’s first signing and going on to make over 850 club appearances. He has become a club legend and is idolised by all.

Perhaps what is most remarkable about Zanetti is that opposition fans have the upmost respect for him too. His playing style endeared him to everyone, whether working tirelessly down the flanks to cover his team-mates defensively or when positioned in midfield to help facilitate Inter’s possession of the ball on swift counter attacks, El Tractor could be counted upon.

Zanetti MourinhoAll of his managers swiftly came to understand that this was a man who you could pin your plans on when going to war. When Jose Mourinho arrived at Inter in 2008 he came to the realisation straight away that Zanetti was a man who he could discuss his tactical plans with and a strong bond was established between the pair. So much so that recently there have been rumours that the Portuguese tactician has tried to lure Zanetti to join him as part of his coaching set up at Chelsea should the Argentine ever decide to leave Inter. Curiously it has been revealed that Zanetti has indeed been studying English, but thankfully for Inter his future remains firmly in Milan.

Now with Zanetti joining the club’s management structure, it remains to be seen if this means in a coaching capacity or in an ambassadorial role as has been previously mooted. Either way, his influence could be a key component with the club’s future still uncertain going into the summer.

Walter Mazzarri’s position as coach is still not guaranteed despite almost securing Europa League football for next season. His coaching philosophy appears to be at loggerheads with the president’s plans for the club’s future when it comes to developing young players; a typical example would be Mateo Kovacic’s stunted growth up until very recently.

The fans are frustrated by the defensive, negative football often adopted by Mazzarri and his repeated moaning to the press about officials. It is a wonder how much longer he will be given time to make excuses for himself.

But with Zanetti present in the background, including him on Mazzarri’s staff could damage his reputation going forward. Would Thohir want to associate Zanetti with Mazzarri’s negative football and failure to promote Inter’s youth? On the other hand, Il Capitano could learn a lot from Mazzarri.

What is certain is that the Nerazzurri have a massive clash with rivals AC Milan in round 36 up next and the chance to dent their neighbour’s hopes of qualifying for Europe and piling the pressure on Clarence Seedorf. It will also be an opportunity for Zanetti to play in one last Derby della Madonnina and cement his place as one of Inter’s all time greats, perhaps the greatest.

Follow Ryan Ross on Twitter: @rross11

 

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