Inter president Steven Zhang expressed confidence over his future at the club and reflected on the importance of their second Scudetto star, thanking those who came before him.
The Nerazzurri mathematically secured their 2023-24 league title on Monday evening after beating rivals Milan 2-1 in a tense Derby della Madonnina, earning them the right to wear the second star on their shirts.
Off the pitch, Inter are in a more delicate spot; Zhang and Suning need to pay back US fund Oaktree around €375m by May 20 to avoid losing control of the club. Recent reports suggested that a new €400m loan would be set up with a London-based fund to temporarily resolve the issue.
Zhang opens up about Inter
Speaking to Liu Teng on TikTok via Gazzetta dello Sport, Zhang first shared his confidence over his Inter future.
“There shouldn’t be any problems, it won’t be an immediate thing, but it will require a process.”
He wasn’t able to provide an update on the new stadium project.
“In Italy the problem is complicated, it risks being a long issue.”
Zhang confirmed Inter’s intentions to document their Scudetto.
“We will definitely make a documentary on the Scudetto victory, perhaps in the form of videos and preserved recordings rather than in a narrative way.”
The Nerazzurri president thanked his predecessors.
“I called Moratti to thank him, perhaps without him us Chinese fans would never have heard of Inter. As a child I had heard of Inter, Juventus and Milan, if not If it were for him and his father, perhaps we Chinese fans wouldn’t have had this bond.
“Today I’m the one who puts the second star, but without the trophies that he won before, I wouldn’t have achieved what I achieved today.”
Zhang commented on his relationship with the Inter squad.
“We are of a relatively similar age, many people in Italy thought I was a child when I arrived at 24. I see it in the eyes of people who ask themselves: is this the president of Inter?
“Regarding the Nerazzurri players, I think they are the best, and the hardest working ones who go home after training, pay attention to food and to their family.
“Now at high levels we are moving in this direction, the more important the stars are, the more they pay attention to their personal aspects.”
Finally, Zhang spoke about Inter vice president Javier Zanetti.
“A model for everyone, he has a very professional attitude, he never drinks and is self-disciplined. Everyone in the club gets along well with each other.”
Second star with paper titles