Traditionally, Internazionale, or Inter as they are more commonly known, are one of the biggest clubs in the Italian game. However, like any major club in European football, the Nerazzurri tend to go through cycles of success and failure.
Recent seasons have been somewhere in-between. A fourth-place finish in Serie A was not enough to save the job of head coach Luciano Spalletti.
Inter dispensed with the services of the former Roma boss yesterday and appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach. The 49-year-old has signed a three-year-old with the club from Milan.
Conte appointment a great one for Inter
The former Chelsea boss Conte has been out of work since leaving the Blues last summer. He enjoyed a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League title in his debut campaign with the Blues before finishing fifth-place in his second campaign.
However, the most encouraging spell of Conte’s career came at Juventus, where he won the Scudetto in three straight seasons, establishing the Bianconeri current stranglehold of the Italian top-flight.
During his spell in Turin Conte established a reputation as one of the most tactically astute coaches in the Italian top-flight. Inter seems like the ideal job for Conte to continue a trophy-laden managerial career.
Inter have immense potential
Not only does Inter have a rich history in the game, but they also have immense potential for the future. The club owners are ambitious and seem willing to back to the club’s coaches in the transfer market.
Conte showed at Juventus what he could do in the transfer market. He has not always needed a fortune to spend to be successful either. The former Juventus coach will inherit a good squad of players, who will be playing in the Champions League next season.
Inter have the history, the backing and now seemingly the head coach to return to their glory days.
Juventus are a tough team to overthrow
The Italian top-flight has become a one horse in recent seasons. Reigning champions Juventus have now won Serie A in the last eight seasons. However, prior to Conte helping the Bianconeri become the dominant force, Inter had won five of the previous six Scudetto’s.
Many top bosses have attempted to end Juventus’ dominance in recent years, including Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli this season. The champions will not be easy to overthrow.
However, the exit of head coach Massimiliano Allegri could well disrupt Juventus campaign, obviously depending on who replaces the highly-rated boss. The Bianconeri are once again favourites to win the Scudetto next season.
It would be highly ironic if the man who started Juventus latest trophy-laden spell was the same man who ended that dominance.
Conte and Inter seem like a winning formula. However, like any new head coach at any club, the 49-year-old will need time to be a success. Italian clubs are not famous for their patience with head coaches.
History has shown that Conte has the managerial acumen to make teams highly successful. His appointment at Inter could well lead to a brighter future for the Nerazzurri.
Is Antonio Conte the man to wake the sleeping giant that is Inter?
