The bond between Erik Thohir and his Inter remains very strong. The former Nerazzurri president, who found himself leading the club during one of the most difficult times in its history, nonetheless lent a significant hand financially to restore the club among the best in Italy and Europe.
Despite the fact that Inter won nothing under his presidency and fell off the radar of the Champions League, Thohir’s financial management was nonetheless valuable. In an interview with the pages of Corriere dello Sport, the president of the Indonesian Football Federation recalled his experience with great pleasure, revealing that he is still a super fan of Inter.
RETURN TO SERIE A – It happened that some fans asked me to come back to Italy. But I could never do it. I love Inter too much. The bond is too strong. I am always a fan and I follow all the results. Did I celebrate for the championship? Yes, I was very happy.
INTER’S GROWTH – I said it from the beginning. I came to help Inter grow and return to the top. Maybe someone could have aimed high right away, but I knew the situation well and it was necessary to recover first. Financial sustainability was fundamental. To the proof of the facts and the promises I made at the time, after 5 years, Inter has returned to play in the Champions League. And it could have even reached it earlier, when I was there, if the qualifying Italian teams were 4 and not 3. I want to add another thing.
NEW STADIUM – Yes, I also talked about it with Gerry Cardinale, when we met recently here in Jakarta. I told him that the right way is to create the new stadium together. And it will be good for Serie A as well. I had also discussed it with Barbara Berlusconi, who however wanted to proceed alone and then give up. So, I tried to ask the mayor of Milan to give San Siro to Inter, but I had to stop in front of the complexity of laws and regulations.
BOND WITH INTER – Yes, I also met Massimo Moratti the last time I was in Milan. Ausilio? Send him my regards, as we haven’t been in touch for a while. I was the one who appointed him as sports director. I always thought he was a good manager. And he’s proving it.
ZHANG – I lost contact. When I left the presidency of the company, I also preferred to give him free rein, avoiding interference.
SALE TO OAKTREE – Yes, I read about it in the papers. All I can say is that in my time, the club’s debt was only 160 million, while now it’s much higher.
IDOL IN THIS INTER – Of course there is. But first I want to explain why I mentioned Ventola. I didn’t say he was my favorite, but that I knew him among all the Nerazzurri players in history. It would’ve been too easy to mention one of the many great champions everyone remembers. Today, then, I mention Dimarco. In my time he was just a youth player, now he’s become one of the best on the team. I could have mentioned Lautaro Martinez, but that would’ve been too easy.
SECOND SCUDETTO – Like all fans, I also want to win every chance. Inter is still the strongest. They have extraordinary players, like Lautaro, Thuram, Barella, and Bastoni, in addition to Dimarco. But watch out for the other big ones, who are coming back: Juventus, Milan and Napoli. It will be a hard-fought championship.
