MILAN – President Erick Thohir was a guest on Italian football show Tiki Taka – Il calcio è il nostro gioco on Tuesday night.
Asked to comment on his first few days in charge of the club, the Nerazzurri president replied: "It's been flattering, like a dream come true. It's been very exciting and there's lots of enthusiasm but at the same time that's something I need to cool because nothing has been done yet. I want to make Inter better every year. I will never be able to equal what Moratti has done in the last 18 years, but that's why I keep saying that as the new president I want to make things consistent with the fundamentals that Massimo Moratti has created."
The next questions were about potential signings and Inter's new stadium: "Of course I would like Messi to join Inter, just like all the fans. We're looking to do something in the January transfer window but we're not after a quick fix. We're creating a system where the ownership, the management and the coach have to sit down and draw up a plan, not only for this year but for the next two or three years. The Champions League final will be held in Milan in 2016 and it would be great to win it again. It takes time to build a team but I really believe we have the fundamentals in place and we can slowly move forward and make it happen. For the first one or two years, the management will be working very hard to increase revenue, as I think there is real potential to exploit foreign markets. After that we will look at whether to remain in San Siro or build a new stadium."
Thohir was also quizzed about Calciopoli and the 'carton Scudetto' controversy. "I met Andrea [Agnelli] a few years ago but I've never heard talk of 'carton Scudetto'. In any case, what is past is past. For me the most important thing is making Serie A big again like it used to be in Asia, where there's a huge market. As I said at the meeting with other club owners today, we must work together to make Serie A the best league in the world again.
"Is it true I have a son who is a Juventus fan? Yes, one of them is a Juventus supporter but I'll make sure that in a few months' time he will become an Inter fan.
"Mourinho? He's a great coach, one of the best in the world.
The president also spoke about the team: "I visited the training ground and it's a legendary place. A lot of great players were born there. You meet one of the great presidents of Serie A, Moratti, then one of the legends of Serie A, Zanetti. I wish for lots of young players to become as consistent as him. I respect coach Mazzarri, he's been a success and I'm looking forward to working with him for a long time. I hope to build a strong Inter team for him. I like young players and I want to bring a lot of young players to Inter."
During his time in Milan, president Thohir stopped by the Solo Inter store. "How much of a tip did I leave? I wanted to buy something for my kids, especially the one who supports Juventus. Hopefully when I go back he will become an Interista now. As a president I'm fully committed to business and the new Inter shop is very beautiful. I want to assure all my staff that I like what they have. I will keep buying there as a way of showing that I believe in the club. The club belongs to the fans and I have to be part of the business to build the revenue. That's why I go there and I have to pay."
Finally, Thohir was asked to elaborate on previous statements about Nicola Ventola: "He was one of the bright young players at Inter and I think without all his injuries he would have played more and become one of the stars."
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
