Massimo Moratti: Forever in Interisti’s hearts

Date: 11th October 2013 at 4:12am
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Massimo Moratti - Internazionale

After 18 years in charge of Inter, president and owner Massimo Moratti is expected to step down and sell his majority share to Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir.

The oil tycoon has been the leader of the club since the mid-90s when Ernesto Pellegrini essentially destroyed the team. Moratti’s father, Angelo, was the owner during the “Il Grande Inter” era from 1955-1968, where a young Massimo watched and absorbed from the stands.

Since his first day in charge, Moratti has put his stamp on every move the Nerazzurri have made. He’s spent around €600 million in transfers, but many of them were star acquisitions.

Christian Vieri - Inter

Christian Vieri was his most expensive signing, the striker was bought for a €48 million fee. The Italian forward quickly justified his then world record price tag, with 103 goals in 143 league games for the Milanese side. His six year tenure is the longest of his career, and is beloved by every Interista worldwide to this day.

Moratti was also responsible for Maicon’s arrival, who is considered the most integral part of the treble winning squad from 2009/10. Along with the Brazilian, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Hernan Crespo, and Roberto Baggio were also purchased. Almost all of them played a key role for Inter while they were at the club.

Massimo Moratti Inter

During Moratti’s reign, Inter have won five Scudetti, four Coppa Italia trophies, a UEFA Cup, and a Champions League. They were the first Italian team and the seventh in Europe to capture the aforementioned treble.

Coach Jose Mourinho, who many consider to be the best tactician Inter have ever had, was the mastermind during that success. Roberto Mancini was another bench boss who captured a few trophies. He won three of the five Scudetti, while Mourinho claimed the other two.

Despite all of Moratti’s glories, he’s been criticised for sacking several coaches in his 18 years in charge of Inter. He’s hired and sacked 18. Mancini is his longest reigning boss, he lasted four years in Milan. Six have lasted a year or less, Luca Castellini was fired twice despite leading the team for 12 months or less on each occasion.

Mauro Icardi - Inter

Another move that some have scratched their heads over is Marco Branca’s role as sporting director. Some of that flack has been cut down significantly since new coach Walter Mazzarri arrived in the summer, though. The club have now started to favour youth, with 20-year-old Mauro Icardi earning the iconic number nine shirt for the 2013/14 campaign.

Mateo Kovacic is another youngster who’s set to thrive for the Nerazzurri, the teenager has been touted as the next great midfielder to dominate world football. Zvonimir Boban even said that Kovacic will be better than he was, and claims that the 19-year-old is already stronger than Boban was at his age.

It’s fitting that Inter are in the early stages of a rebuild now that Thohir is set to take the reigns for Moratti. The current owner will be missed, but will never be forgotten and will remain in the hearts of everyone involved with the Nerazzurri for the rest of their lives.

 

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