Stefano Pioli was “pleasantly surprised” by the atmosphere at Inter and working with Suning. “I am in the ideal conditions to work.”
The Coach was drafted in after Frank de Boer’s dismissal just 84 days into the job, as Roberto Mancini had walked away two weeks before the season began.
“This was an opportunity that arrived at the right time for me, as I learned from all my experiences,” Pioli told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.
Stefano Pioli was “pleasantly surprised” by the atmosphere at Inter and working with Suning. “I am in the ideal conditions to work.”
The Coach was drafted in after Frank de Boer’s dismissal just 84 days into the job, as Roberto Mancini had walked away two weeks before the season began.
“This was an opportunity that arrived at the right time for me, as I learned from all my experiences,” Pioli told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.
“Inter is the club I dreamed of since childhood, as my whole family are Interisti. The first Serie A game I saw was Bologna-Inter. I came close as a player, because from Parma it seemed as if I was heading to the Nerazzurri, but instead Juventus came along.
“I was positively surprised by Inter, as the squad was ready to work and aware that the results weren’t in line with their potential. By all working together, focused on quality, precision and details, we can still try to transform this seemingly negative season into a positive one.
“I expected more negatives here, to be honest. Instead I found a club organisation that might not seem united from the outside, but the management is solid and I am in the ideal conditions to work.
“We can build something good for our present and above all the future of Inter.”
There were some suspicions that Chinese owners Suning Group would treat Inter as a toy or another business interest to make money.
“China is a global and economic superpower, so it’s only natural they became a force in football too. There’s a great work ethic, professionalism and precision. I think it can only be good for modern football.
“I see Suning are very determined to invest, support me and work hard. I see people who didn’t come here just to earn money, but to build things properly. They want to invest logically and improve the infrastructure.”
Inter are flying back up the table with six consecutive Serie A victories, eight in all competition, so what can they achieve this season?
“Clearly at this moment our future depends a great deal on ourselves, but we’re not the only ones, as we are chasing teams above us. All we can do is try to win every game.
“I tell my players that from now to May 28 we must try to win as many games as possible and we’ve got the quality to achieve it. On May 28, we’ll see where we are.
“It’s a very tough comeback to complete, but that makes it even more intriguing.”