MONTECATINI - Walter Mazzarri gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sport 24 on the sidelines of the Premio Maestrelli ceremony held this evening, which saw the Nerazzurri coach awarded for his work last season.
Mazzarri, did you find time to speak to president Erick Thohir today?
"We spoke at La Pinetina, you know everything, there was no need for us to talk. I was told that he met our sporting directors today and I'm glad they did because we're a great group, we've worked well together recently. It's always better when everyone's on the same wavelength."
How pleasing is it for you to be here this evening so close to home? Is winning the Premio Maestrelli a sign of how far you've come as a coach?
"I don't know about that. It's certainly an important sign of recognition and I'm delighted because it's just reward for a year - and it's last year we're talking about - when we achieved some great things at Napoli. I'm pleased with all the acknowledgement I get."
Did you think you'd be where you are now with Inter when you took over in July?
"Whenever I set out on a new experience I always aim for the top and I'm never satisfied, that's the way I am. Clearly it wasn't easy to imagine that we'd already be doing so well in the league, have produced some good football and played some good games. We've dropped a few points along the way, but at times we've been a little too naive, too relaxed or because of other things which happen in football."
You've had the chance to meet Thohir over the last few days: what's your first impression? What's struck you about him?
"The enthusiasm. His smile and positive, hands-on approach. He's immediately put everyone at ease. I think he's made the best possible entrance and said all the right things. It was nice to hear that - besides the results - he likes the way the team is playing and is happy to try to obtain results by playing well and not by focusing on results alone, as is sometimes the way in Italy."
In your interview in today's edition of La Repubblica, you admit that you didn't know about the change of ownership when you took the reins at Inter. When you said, "I've always worked with the aim of getting the most out of the personnel and my presidents have been able to sell on what I've increased the value of", was that an indirect message to Thohir? As if to say: the squad is in good hands but if we want to do business let's buy someone we can make money on too. Or was that a coincidence?
"[Smiling] Yes, it's a coincidence. It's part of my job. Those who know me know very well that I try to maximise the potential of the company's resources. When I'm handed a squad of players, I try to improve them, give them a playing style, but also work on them individually to develop the youngsters. I've done that lots of times in my career and I don't see why I should change now that I'm here at Inter."
But Inter perhaps need a little extra something to take them up to the next level. Wouldn't you like a player who's already the finished article?
"I'd like to meet a coach who wouldn't want to have the best, top-level players. Obviously it's the club that dictates the guidelines. What the coach wants, or would like, is one thing; another is what the club sets out based on financial parameters - something you can't ignore nowadays."
Could you at least tell us where you'd like to bring someone in?
“You know me well enough by know... I never talk on the outside about things that I must first and foremost share with the owners and my sporting directors. It would be wrong to do any differently because even if you are interested in a player, when you come out and say it publicly it becomes even tougher to sign him."
Are you already thinking about the Napoli game?
"Believe me, at the moment I'm thinking only about Bologna and I'm worried because I'll get players coming back from international duty at the last minute, and everyone knows I like to prepare for matches by working on the pitch. I'm not thinking about Napoli now. When the time comes, if you ask me the question I'll tell you."
What's surprised you positively in this first phase of the season and what do you still need to work on a bit?
"I'm happy with all my players. If you want to pick out individuals, we can point to what Alvarez is doing, what Jonathan's done, what seasoned campaigners such as Cambiasso are doing – a player some people said was on the decline last season but who has come back this season and is playing as well as he was three or four years ago. I've given you three names but I could name many others because I think the whole squad has improved. You can see an identity, a team playing with conviction, everyone helping each other and I think that's what you need in the modern game. Where do we need to improve? Sometimes our concentration drops a little but we're still quite a young team and we have players who need to grow. We have to play more consistently over the 90 minutes and show a bit more guile in certain situations."
