Mancini-Inter, second act. Today begins the new era of the coach from Jesi on the Nerazzurri bench, a flashback after the four-year period 2004-08 which brought 3 championships, 2 Italian Cups and 2 Italian Super Cups, but also a divorce full of poison seasoned with mutual accusations. But that was Massimo Moratti's club, but today Erick Thohir is at the helm. It was he who decided on Mazzarri's dismissal at the end of a tormented week in which, in hindsight, the indications of his dismissal had appeared quite clearly. No conversation with WM after the draw with Verona, just a chat with Fassone and Ausilio in the belly of San Siro, which was followed by a lunch with Moratti on Monday.
The Nerazzurri president had communicated his decision to everyone (except for the person concerned): via Mazzarri, inside Mancini. “I have not proposed anything – confirmed the minority shareholder of the tycoon. – I'm sorry for Walter but I'm happy for Roberto, the first one I won with, he's very good and a hard worker ”. A 40 million euro operation, plus or minus euro: Mazzarri's dismissal will cost 19,5 (gross, including staff), Mancini's new contract 20 (4 net per year until 2017). A nice little trick I must say, however made inevitable by the situation that had arisen. Thohir could no longer ignore it, despite the fact that the club's accounts (convened by UEFA no later than a week ago) advised him against such a reversal.
This time, however, even the "cold" Indonesian has put aside the calculator and concentrated on sports. On the other hand, third place is still achievable: a qualification in the Champions League, between TV takings and brand enhancement, would make the investment return. The popular mood must also be considered, to which Thohir is much more sensitive than one might think. It is the second time that the tycoon, in a year of presidency, has listened to the thoughts of the Nerazzurri people (the first was on the Guarin-Vucinic swap): a move that goes towards a reconciliation with a fan base that has long been on a war footing and which now could instead return to fill the San Siro. Now the ball passes to Mancini, whose debut, as in any self-respecting thriller, could not be more suggestive. Next Sunday there will be a derby against Milan as fascinating as it is complicated, a match that seemed to be at an all-time low and which instead will offer excitement and entertainment.
What will the new Inter be like? We'll find out soon, perhaps already this afternoon (14 pm) when Mancio will present himself to the press in Appiano Gentile. A conference eagerly awaited by all the Nerazzurri people, eager to definitively close the Mazzarri era. Made up of a fifth place that earned him a return to Europe after a year in purgatory, but also of controversies and misunderstandings that never really made love blossom. And so the exemption (the first in his career) has become inevitable.
