MILAN - After watching Inter v Empoli and before returning to Indonesia, Erick Thohir gave an interview to Class CNBC. Here on inter.it you can read what the president had to say.
Welcome and thanks for taking the time to talk to us today.
“Thank you.”
Let's start with Inter's victory in the last home game which also meant qualification for the Europa League. What were your thoughts after the match?
“I met with the players and Mancini. I said thank you to them. It's been a good season – not perfect, because we were in first place before slipping down but still a good season. It's time to appreciate them because they've tried their best. If you look at the number of points we have, we have about 15 points more than we did after this many matches last year and more than we've had in other seasons recently so it's a good signal. It's also good for our core team to have more experience for next season.”
How do you look at next season after this season? How are you going to strengthen the team?
“It's not an excuse but the reality: we have to bring in players of course but we've also signed a Financial Fair Play agreement and we have to respect that. We have to achieve the FFP parameters. I think we've passed this year. We've been trying our hardest as a management team to achieve the numbers. You buy and you sell but that doesn't mean that Inter aren't a top team in Italy and it doesn't mean we can't be in the Europa League or even the Champions League. We have to face the reality and as the president and as management we have to work even harder in the future.”
How do you see the summer transfer window? How are your financial resources?
“If you look at our commercial numbers, we've grown from 164 to 186 million without European football so our finances on a commercial side are good. We need to balance things in the transfer market but that doesn't mean we won't bring in players.”
You recently opened talks with potential partners for the future of Inter. Where are you at with those talks?
“We're looking for strategic partners because the world is more and more global. The number of fans globally is unbelievable and in Asia, in the US and even in Africa they're growing. A good strategic partner is good for Inter – not for me, for Inter. We have to make Inter stronger and stronger. If you ask me who, there are a few groups we're in discussions with. We've studied their proposals and nothing is done yet. We haven't signed anything but it's good to understand what their vision is.”
You took over Inter two and a half years ago. Is Italian football as you imagined it? Did it match your expectations?
“Well, last night I had an early dinner – I can say that! If you look at the data, we've played at 8:45 more than any other Italian team. I'll say that I've only had two seasons here – two full seasons. In the last two seasons I think this is the first time that I really enjoyed the day and I don't mean because we won and qualified for Europe, although that's obviously very important, but because we finished at 8 pm. After that you can go and have dinner with friends. It's the same for other Inter fans: after the game they can have a good dinner and enjoy themselves with the family. But if you finish the game at 10:45, it's too late – even for Italians! Inter are the team who have played most often at 8:45. And look at what happens with our fans in Asia. 8:45 is 1:45 in the morning in Indonesia. In China it's 1:45. In Japan it's 2:45. It's difficult for them.”
In general what's wrong with Italian football? Is it in decline?
“We mustn't give up. We need to build strong relationships between the Serie A presidents and clubs and Serie A needs to fight globally. We have to change. I still believe we have the core, the passion of our fans – not only Inter fans but Serie A fans. Serie A was the first league to go to China but what happened? Serie A didn't monetise. We have to change that. Another thing is we have to move faster. Thankfully a decision was taken last week about second teams. That means you can develop young Italians to play in second teams and get them ready for the first team. Serie A is one of the toughest leagues and it's difficult for young players to go from our Primavera and suddenly step up to the Inter first team. They need a year or two to adjust. So being in a second team – with better quality – hopefully will enable Italian players to grow. They also spoke about the possibility of playing a round of games the day after Christmas. That's great because people want to watch football with their families. Look at what happens in England. And in the US they play NBA on Christmas Day. I'm not asking for that but what I mean is we're not only competing with other leagues but other sports too.”
On a more personal note, you are the president of Inter but you live in Indonesia. How difficult is that for you?
“When you commit to something you have to fulfil your obligations. Every job is difficult. Every business decision is difficult. But you need to focus on working hard and giving your best and you find a way. Travelling from Jakarta via Singapore to Milan is 15 hours. I came to Milan three times in April and spent more time here than in Indonesia but that's part of your obligation as president. That doesn't mean I have to be here every day. I really believe that the key to success is in building a management team who are here in Milan every day, and also in building the right infrastructure. Other owners like Mr Saputo and Mr Pallotta believe in the same model as me. They've built good management. Look at Roma in the last couple of years. Bologna are improving now. This is the way. Perhaps it's different to the way other presidents see things or what Italian fans are used to but it's ok to be different. Being different doesn't mean you fail; it's just a different approach to management.”
How has Inter changed your life? You travel a lot and meet lots of people. How do you feel about that?
“As a human being you don't live in a shell. Human beings need to meet people and socialise. When I meet people at the airport or in the plane, it's good to listen to their ideas, advice and criticism. Criticism is like a medicine for us. When people say 'good, good, good' it might be poison. My background is media so I understand these things. I own television and radio companies and newspapers. We engage with our readers and we engage with society. I meet politicians but I also meet ordinary people. My father always taught me that if you want respect you have to respect people, and not because of their money or their rank. That's something I've passed on to my children. When we travel as a family, my children travel in economy class. I need to tell them that the legacy of the family and of my name doesn't mean it's their legacy. They have to create their own path, find their way. It's important as a father to help them be ready for the world.”
I assume you also listen very carefully to what the Inter fans tell you when they come together at the stadium or on social media. What's your final message for them?
"For the fans, I would like to say thank you to them because they believe in the project. Why do I say this? Look at the attendance in our stadium. We have around 45,000 on average, which is the highest in Italy. They come because they believe, so thank you. I think it's important they believe in the project.
"To my management, I'd like to say thank you. We've achieved good numbers commercially and financially but of course we have to work harder.
"And then to our players, some players will stay and some won't. But I've told my management and the coach that if they are staying, make sure they understand what it means to play for Inter and wear Inter's jersey. They have to have mental strength, we can't keep going up and down. OK, you get ups and downs in football but we can't afford to do this in every match. We have to be consistent, we have to fight, we have to give our best. If not then they're not Inter and it's better that they go. But anyone who wants to stay should understand what this jersey means.
"The history of the club stretches back 108 years. No one is immortal. I am not immortal as the president. I don't think I can be president of Inter for the next 50 years because by that time I'll be 96! But I want to make sure while I'm the president of Inter that I give my best to the club and to the fans. Despite all my weaknesses, I want to give my best. It's the same for the manager, there are no immortal managers. But the most important thing is that the management, the coach and the players have one vision: Inter as a top team has to qualify but we have to be realistic and understand the other side of Financial Fair Play. We will bring players in again during the summer but in reality we have to balance things. We've been successful in this. I think Piero Ausilio is doing a good job so thank you but we have to continue.”
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