Zanetti: ‘I was devoted to Inter, Chivu always astute’
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 15: Inter vice president Javier Zanetti participates in a meeting at Casa Tennis during the Nitto ATP Finals 2023 on November 15, 2023, in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images for Citta Di Torino) Javier Zanetti discusses the reasons he declined propositions from England and Spain to conclude his career at Inter, as well as his belief that Cristian Chivu ‘possessed the skills to grow into a coach.’ The club icon arrived in Europe from Argentina in 1995 to join Inter and stayed until his retirement in 2014. Even after that, his journey continued immediately as he stepped into a management role as their vice-president. Zanetti committed to Inter since 1995 ROME, ITALY – MAY 29: FC Internazionale Milano President Massimo Moratti and Javier Zanetti celebrate after winning the Tim Cup final against US Citta di Palermo at Olimpico Stadium on May 29, 2011, in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) “Inter is my beloved club, the one I cherish,” Zanetti conveyed to Sky Sports UK. “I received proposals from Spain and England to play there, but honestly, I chose to remain at Inter because I truly wished to establish my legacy here within this institution. I was aware that our President at that time was making significant sacrifices for Inter to secure major titles, and, well, time validated my decision.” Massimo Moratti indeed experienced success, leading the remarkable Treble campaign of 2010, during which they claimed the Scudetto, Champions League, and Coppa Italia in a single season. Zanetti captained that team under Jose Mourinho, while his teammate was Chivu, who is now serving as their coach. “I’m incredibly happy and pleased because I believe Cristian deserves this chance. Even during our time as teammates, Cristian was an exceptionally astute player,” said the legend. “Now he’s committed himself to coaching, and we are very pleased that he is directing our team. It was always evident that he had the potential to evolve as a coach.” MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, observes before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Inter finished 2025 without any trophies, narrowly missing out on the Scudetto by just two points to Napoli, losing the Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain, and not advancing past the Coppa Italia semi-final, along with two versions of the Supercoppa Italiana. “I perceive a very competitive season, particularly in Italian football, since there are four or five teams only a point apart,” Zanetti remarked regarding their chances of winning trophies. “The essential aspect is that Inter remains consistently competitive. I believe this holds true whether Inter is contending in the Champions League or Serie A. We consistently demonstrate our competitiveness, which certainly brings us closer to achieving success.”
Published: 2025-12-30 21:02:00
source: football-italia.net
