APPIANO GENTILE - President Erick Thohir was interviewed by Mediaset Premium at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri chief discussed the team's form in the league, before stressing that his relationship with the coach is rock solid: "League seasons are always up and down. We were top in the first half of the campaign, now we're fifth. It's interesting how over the last few weeks in which things haven't gone well on the pitch, a lot has come out in the media claiming that things are awry between Roberto and me. That is in no way true. I'm the sort of president and owner who always wants to support the team, even when they lose. I still believe that we have the best coach around. He will always have my backing."
Thohir also broached the subject of partnerships in the Far East, a major talking point of late: "Everyone is on the hunt for sponsors. Manchester City have found a Chinese partner. We have 264 million fans around the world, 190 million of whom are located in Asia and the Pacific alone, with 113 million in China. Over the past few years, we have worked tirelessly to reach these markets too and that was part of the agreement with Massimo Moratti before I purchased the club. I asked Goldman Sachs to look for possible partners in China to press ahead with the work we've done so far."
Finally, a word on the club's targets off the pitch: "Our aim is to be consistently one of the world's top 10 clubs, who have revenues upwards of €230 million. Inter's current turnover stands at €180 million so we're not far off. That's another reason why you need partnerships in China and other countries. We're not the only ones doing so, other clubs are following suit, including Atletico Madrid. I'm sure we'll succeed and Inter will go back to where the club belongs."
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