Inter Milan Sporting Director: “Inzaghi Could Stay Here For 10 Years” Adds “Take Champions League Victory Over Serie A Title” | OneFootball

Piero Ausilio believes Simone Inzaghi could stay at Inter Milan for ten years, and would take a UCL win over another Serie A title.

The Nerazzurri Sporting Director spoke to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews. He also gave his thoughts on players such as Davide Frattesi and Mehdi Taremi.

Inter Milan Sporting Director Piero Ausilio is at the heart of the Nerazzurri’s transfer strategy.

Along with President and CEO Beppe Marotta, Ausilio has worked to build the current Inter squad.

And Ausilio was also a key decision-maker in the choice to bring Simone Inzaghi to Inter as coach.

Piero Ausilio: “Simone Inzaghi Could Stay At Inter For Ten Years”

Simone Inzaghi‘s current contract with Inter runs out at the end of June 2027.

The coach has tended to sign short-term contract extensions with Inter.

Inter Milan’s Italian coach Simone Inzaghi holds the trophy during the ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Sporting Director Ausilio called the situation “normal and easy to management.”

“By mutual agreement we’re in no rush,” he added. “Extending for just a year, as we did after winning the Scudetto, allows him to keep the tension high, to stay on the ball.”

“He’ll probably stay here for ten years as Inter coach,” Ausilio made the bold prediction.

“But it’s only right that at the end of the season – and this applies to him as well as to me – some evaluations are made on both sides.”

“These evaluations can lead to improvements. As happened with the last extension.”

“What’s certain is that we’re very happy with him,” Ausilio made clear. “He’s the best coach that Inter can have, and I’m convinced that Inzaghi also feels the same way about Inter.”

Piero Ausilio Spills Beans On Future Of Davide Frattesi

Meanwhile, Ausilio gave his thoughts on a few different Inter players.

First, the Inter Sporting Director addressed the situation of midfielder Davide Frattesi. Frattesi was strongly linked with a January exit, and reportedly unhappy with his playing time.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale kicks a ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 05, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I know very well that he’s a guy with the expectation in his mind that he should play more,” Ausilio said of Frattesi.

“And based on his quality, he deserves to.”

“We knew there was strong interest from Roma,” Ausilio admitted. “But we made him understand in a frank discussion that it would be important to Inter in the present, and the future.”

“And playing with us today means fighting on all fronts,” The Inter Sporting Director made clear.

“Once the season is over we’ll sit down and make a decision together calmly. But I want to think that Frattesi will remain at Inter for a long time to come.”

Piero Ausilio – Mehdi Taremi Statistics And Value He Adds Separate Things

Meanwhile, of striker Mehdi Taremi, not exactly free-scoring since his summer arrival at Inter, Ausilio said that “Taremi’s stats and the value he adds, are separate things.”

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 06: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

“But I know from experience that a lot of players find it difficult to settle here in Italy after coming from other countries.”

“He hasn’t been able to play consistently,” Ausilio said of Taremi.

“Because he has Lautaro and Thuram ahead of him.

“I’m not going to discuss his stats,” the executive added.

“They are a bit.. particular. But I’d go beyond that, thinking about his performances.”

“The criticism often doesn’t take into consideration the importance of the work on the pitch and for his teammates. Therefore, I have faith and I am convinced that his stats will improve.”

Ausilio: “Support Never Lacking From Oaktree”

Next Ausilio talked about the different ownerships he’s worked under at Inter.

“For me it’s been one club but many owners,” said the Inter Sporting Director.

“All very different from each other. But very stimulating.”

Ausilio said of Inter’s current owners that “Oakree presented themselves to us perfectly, with tact and delicacy and with respect for the structure they found here.”

“There have been no particular changes,” Ausilio said of the operations of the club under Oaktree. “Even if they’ve brought various innovations.”

“They know what Inter’s history is. They know that it has to always be competitive.”

“We saw that in January with the deal for Sucic,” Ausilio said. “With an eye to the future.”

Meanwhile, Ausilio was asked if Inter’s quiet January transfer window was a result of a lack of opportunities in the market, or because there was no need to strengthen the squad.

The Nerazzurri Sporting Director replied, “Both.”

“I remain convinced that our squad is up to par and complete in every position.”

“In letting Buchanan go on loan, we were looking for a good signing at wingback,” Ausilio noted. “And the Zalewski opportunity presented itself to us and we took it.”

“For the rest, I don’t like squads that are too large,” the Inter Sporting Director declared. “Because they’re hard to manage.”

“We have two players in every position. We’re covered in every area of the pitch.”

And as far as the idea that Inter have issues with attacking depth, Ausilio noted that “We have five players in those positions…”

Carboni & Sucic To Be In Club World Cup Squad, “Have To Be Realistic” About Donnarumma

Then, Ausilio talked about what Inter’s squad will look like at the Club World Cup this summer.

“I can confirm Sucic and Carboni will be there,” he said.

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 23: Petar Sucic of GNK Dinamo is challenged by Samson Baidoo of FC Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Salzburg and GNK Dinamo at Stadion Salzburg on October 23, 2024 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Jasmin Walter/Getty Images)

“Carboni will be available between the end of April and the start of May,” Ausilio added. Valentin Carboni is currently recovering from a serious knee injury.

“And for Sucic the only thing missing is the confirmation of another transfer window opening.”

Then, Ausilio noted that “We’ll make a decision on [Francesco Pio] Esposito, with him and the FA considering his commitments with the Under-21 team.”

“We’ll decide the best for everyone.”

Meanwhile, the Inter Sporting Director addressed the rumours linking the Nerazzurri with Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Donnarumma’s current contract with PSG runs out at the end of June 2026.

“Lord knows it’s interesting,” he said. “But we have to be realistic – we have two great goalkeepers.”

“Martinez has a long way to go on his contract,” Ausilio said of Josep Martinez. “And we have an option to extend Sommer’s contract.”

“Thinking about 2026 already… It’s so far away.”

“And I don’t think PSG will let him slip through their fingers,” Ausilio suggested.

Ausilio Backs Josep Martinez To Succeed In Goal

Meanwhile, Ausilio said that Inter fans should “absolutely” have faith that goalkeeper Josep Martinez can do well in the absence of the injured Yann Sommer.

“Considering that some commentators said that it was a bad signing, I’d like to point out that we made an investment in line with our priorities, in a young goalkeeper who’d already proven himself in Italy.”

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Josep Martinez of Genoa reacts during the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and Atalanta BC – Serie A TIM at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 11, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

“There was no need for this injury to prove the player’s value,” Ausilio added.

“In the Coppa Italia against Udinese he did very well. And we see him every day in training.”

“I’m convinced that he’ll replace Sommer perfectly,” Ausilio said of Martinez. “Who we expect will be back soon anyway.”

“The important thing is to have competition in every position. Including goalkeeper.”

Joao Felix & Marco Asensio Rumours “Agent Talk”

Then, Inter Sporting Director Ausilio dismissed January transfer links to Marco Asensio and Joao Felix.

“Those rumours mainly have to do with the activities of agents,” he said.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Joao Felix of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on January 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“When they have to get a move for a player they make phone calls,” Ausilio said pointedly. “A lot of them.”

“It’s normal when you have a quality player like Asensio or Joao Felix…” the Inter Sporting Director hinted.

“I’ll get ahead of you. I’ll reply to the people who say that Inter had started negotiations for Joao Felix.”

“That’s normal. They’re opportunities that appear on the market, and from agents.”

Ausilio said that agents “have to work, and also want to demonstrate to their clients that they’re committed to finding opportunities.”

“And among all the phone calls, there are calls to Inter.”

“We’ve always told everyone straight up that we’re fine the way we are,” Ausilio said bluntly. “And I just mention those two names as an example.”

“Then maybe if we’d had players leave, it’s different story,” the Inter Sporting Director noted.

“But that applies in any position.”

“We would have thought about what solutions there would be on the transfer market that would allow us to complete the squad the way we had in mind.”

“Always getting back to the well-known idea of a squad with two players position. Absolutely competitive.”

“We think Inter are already formed that way, and have been in the past.”

Inter Milan Sporting Director Ausilio: “I’d Take UCL Trophy & Napoli Winning Serie A”

As far as the Serie A title race and the Champions League, Ausilio cautioned that “There’s no point talking about priorities.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: SS Lazio head coach Simone Inzaghi and FC Internazionale Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 14, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“Especially when you’re in the middle of the season. It was important for us to still be in the running for all our goals, as has to be the case with a team like ours.”

“That’s the minimum for us.”

“We play to try to win,” Ausilio stressed. “Being right there in all competitions gives us even more chances to do so.”

Meanwhile, the Inter Sporting Director spoke about how he and club President Beppe Marotta reacted to last Sunday’s Serie A loss to Juventus.

“All of us as club directors are always close to the team,” he said.

“We live constantly at the training centre.”

“We took advantage of the moment to give the team something to reflect on,” Ausilio continued.

“And remind the group of our commandments, of the idea and the mentality that our team has to have.”

“We told the players to stay calm and composed.”

Ausilio said that “a match can be lost, it’s not the end of anything yet, even if we’re sorry for the way the defeat came after the first half where we played well.”

“But there’s still a long way to go this season.”

Lastly, Ausilio was asked if he’d sign for the Champions League trophy even if it meant Napoli winning the Serie A title.

“Yes, I’d take it,” he admitted. In conclusion Ausilio added: “But only if you have the trophy there.”