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Not even Jose Mourinho would solve Inter's current crisis - why sacking Claudio Ranieri is not the answer to the Nerazzurri's problems
The Tinkerman is on the brink of the sack at Appiano Gentile, but such is the depth of Inter's malaise that not even the Special One would provide the fixes
22 Feb 2012 09:00:00
Getty Images
COMMENT
By Carlo Garganese | Deputy Editor
Only one man can save Inter ... Jose Mourinho.
That is the consensus of the Giuseppe Meazza's Curva Nord, who chanted the name of their former hero throughout the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bologna last Friday night. A result that has left current incumbent, Claudio Ranieri, fighting for his job - with speculation rife that he will be shown the door if Inter lose their Champions League last 16 first leg trip to Marseille tonight.
From a statistical point of view, it is easy to understand why the press have reached such a conclusion. Having embarked on their worst run of results in more than eight years – just one point from their last five league games, as well as elimination from the Coppa Italia – Inter have slipped to seventh in Serie A, six points off third place.
Claiming that final Champions League qualification slot will be difficult for the Nerazzurri when you consider that, of their final 14 league matches, they still have to travel away to Napoli, Juventus, Udinese and Lazio, as well as tackle AC Milan again in the derby – five games you would expect little return from.
It is clear that, win or lose against Marseille, Inter have no chance of lifting the Champions League – their one remaining aim for the season must be to try to salvage third place in Serie A. Replacing Ranieri may provide an initial energetic spark just like it did when the Tinkerman succeeded Gian Piero Gasperini at the end of September and soon led the team to eight straight wins.
If this adrenaline lasts until May, then president Massimo Moratti is unlikely to complain, and he would then be able to regroup and rebuild for next season – be it with Ranieri's (interim) successor still at the helm or with another, permanent boss.
But the adrenaline won't last long, which is why sacking yet another coach – and Ranieri would become Inter's fourth to depart since Mourinho left in May 2010 – will cure nothing.
The simple truth is that from top to bottom Inter are an utter mess. The majority of the playing staff are either too old or not good enough. The following players are all into their thirties, past their best and, if they don't retire, will need to move on within the next six to 18 months: Ivan Cordoba, Dejan Stankovic, Lucio, Diego Forlan, Maicon, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel and Cristian Chivu. Those who have been brought in to kick off the next Inter cycle are not at the level their seniors once were – the likes of Ricky Alvarez, Joel Obi, Andrea Poli, Andrea Ranocchia, Mauro Zarate, and even Giampaolo Pazzini. Wesley Sneijder continues to decline, and will almost certainly be sold in the summer.
Transfer policy since Mourinho joined Real Madrid has been atrocious. Arguably the best first striker in Europe last season, Samuel Eto'o, was replaced by a 32-year-old (Forlan), an enigma who had completely fallen off the radar (Mauro Zarate) and a rookie teenager (Luc Castaignos).
Inter's most important midfielder Thiago Motta (Inter enjoyed a 90 per cent win record this season when he played, as opposed to just over 10 per cent when he didn't) was substituted by Sampdoria's Angelo Palombo – whose legs went two years ago – and Porto's Fredy Guarin, who may prove a fine purchase but was injured when he arrived, and remains sidelined now. The administrative decisions by president Moratti and sporting director Marco Branca over the past year and a half have not been good enough, as Goal.com International's Italian Football Editor Kris Voakes explains in more detail here.
The next year or two are going to be very difficult for Inter – it is logical considering the current squad as well as the Financial Fair Play restrictions. Moratti, Branca and the fans must accept this reality if the Nerazzurri are to move forward and start again. A project must be put into place to replace the old guard, and gradually bring in the quality to build a new, winning Inter.
This won't happen if the club sets themselves the same sky-high expectations they had between 2006 and 2010. The landscape has changed considerably. The credit from Calciopoli has run out, Inter are far weaker, while the competition – Milan, Juventus and Napoli in particular – are strong again. Sacking coach after coach for not reaching these unobtainable levels displays ignorance to Inter's real shortcomings and will just prolong the misery.
It is common knowledge that Ranieri is not a winner – and this writer was vehemently against him while he was at Juventus – but Inter are a long way away from being in a position to start winning again. What Ranieri does well is renew, and aid in the transition process, but he must be provided the faith and backing of his superiors. And he must not be expected to challenge for trophies this season, or even next.
No coach in the world can succeed with this current Inter. Not Rafa Benitez, not Leonardo, not Gian Piero Gasperini, not Claudio Ranieri.
And not even the saviour, Jose Mourinho.
Follow Carlo Garganese on
By Carlo Garganese | Deputy Editor
Only one man can save Inter ... Jose Mourinho.
That is the consensus of the Giuseppe Meazza's Curva Nord, who chanted the name of their former hero throughout the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bologna last Friday night. A result that has left current incumbent, Claudio Ranieri, fighting for his job - with speculation rife that he will be shown the door if Inter lose their Champions League last 16 first leg trip to Marseille tonight.
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From a statistical point of view, it is easy to understand why the press have reached such a conclusion. Having embarked on their worst run of results in more than eight years – just one point from their last five league games, as well as elimination from the Coppa Italia – Inter have slipped to seventh in Serie A, six points off third place.
Claiming that final Champions League qualification slot will be difficult for the Nerazzurri when you consider that, of their final 14 league matches, they still have to travel away to Napoli, Juventus, Udinese and Lazio, as well as tackle AC Milan again in the derby – five games you would expect little return from.
 |
INTER'S CRISIS IN NUMBERS |
| 1 |
Inter have earned just one point from their last five league games. |
| 7 | The Nerazzurri are in seventh place in Serie A, six points off the Champions League places. |
| 14 | Inter have already lost 14 games in all competitions this season. |
| 14 | First team squad has 14 players who are in their thirties. |
| 15 | Julio Cesar has conceded 15 goals in the last six games. |
If this adrenaline lasts until May, then president Massimo Moratti is unlikely to complain, and he would then be able to regroup and rebuild for next season – be it with Ranieri's (interim) successor still at the helm or with another, permanent boss.
But the adrenaline won't last long, which is why sacking yet another coach – and Ranieri would become Inter's fourth to depart since Mourinho left in May 2010 – will cure nothing.
The simple truth is that from top to bottom Inter are an utter mess. The majority of the playing staff are either too old or not good enough. The following players are all into their thirties, past their best and, if they don't retire, will need to move on within the next six to 18 months: Ivan Cordoba, Dejan Stankovic, Lucio, Diego Forlan, Maicon, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel and Cristian Chivu. Those who have been brought in to kick off the next Inter cycle are not at the level their seniors once were – the likes of Ricky Alvarez, Joel Obi, Andrea Poli, Andrea Ranocchia, Mauro Zarate, and even Giampaolo Pazzini. Wesley Sneijder continues to decline, and will almost certainly be sold in the summer.
Transfer policy since Mourinho joined Real Madrid has been atrocious. Arguably the best first striker in Europe last season, Samuel Eto'o, was replaced by a 32-year-old (Forlan), an enigma who had completely fallen off the radar (Mauro Zarate) and a rookie teenager (Luc Castaignos).
No way, Jose | Not even 2010 treble-winner Mourinho would solve Inter's current crisis
Inter's most important midfielder Thiago Motta (Inter enjoyed a 90 per cent win record this season when he played, as opposed to just over 10 per cent when he didn't) was substituted by Sampdoria's Angelo Palombo – whose legs went two years ago – and Porto's Fredy Guarin, who may prove a fine purchase but was injured when he arrived, and remains sidelined now. The administrative decisions by president Moratti and sporting director Marco Branca over the past year and a half have not been good enough, as Goal.com International's Italian Football Editor Kris Voakes explains in more detail here.
The next year or two are going to be very difficult for Inter – it is logical considering the current squad as well as the Financial Fair Play restrictions. Moratti, Branca and the fans must accept this reality if the Nerazzurri are to move forward and start again. A project must be put into place to replace the old guard, and gradually bring in the quality to build a new, winning Inter.
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It is common knowledge that Ranieri is not a winner – and this writer was vehemently against him while he was at Juventus – but Inter are a long way away from being in a position to start winning again. What Ranieri does well is renew, and aid in the transition process, but he must be provided the faith and backing of his superiors. And he must not be expected to challenge for trophies this season, or even next.
No coach in the world can succeed with this current Inter. Not Rafa Benitez, not Leonardo, not Gian Piero Gasperini, not Claudio Ranieri.
And not even the saviour, Jose Mourinho.
Follow Carlo Garganese on
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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