MILAN – Inter CEO Michael Bolingbroke spoke at a press conference held after Tuesday’s F.C. Internazionale Milano Shareholders’ Meeting.
Following a video celebrating the successes Inter achieved during the Moratti era, Bolingbroke took to the floor.
"That was a moving reminder of a truly glorious history under the stewardship of the Moratti family,” began Bolingbroke. “It is humbling for me as an Inter fan, and as a football fan, to work alongside a family and a club that has such a great history. And, can I too, extend my thanks to Mr Moratti and to his family for their help & their support, and the guidance that they have given me over the last two years.
"As we all know, sport, and football, is a global business. There are some 2.5 billion adult football fans worldwide. 2.5 billion! And that excludes the children! We truly do have the privilege of working in the World’s most popular sport.
"To be a successful club, you have to be successful on the pitch. But to do that, you also have to be successful off the pitch.
"Since I arrived in 2014, together with Erick Thohir, Inter has built an international management team. It comprises some of the best talent in sports management – top people, from some of the top companies in the World, together under one roof with one single goal – Inter. And already we are seeing the benefits.
"But before we look at that in detail, I would just like to say thank you to Erick Thohir for his stewardship of the club as a majority owner. Erick, under your leadership, and thanks to your trademark transparency, honesty and humility, you have been an inspiration for all of us at the club, and have helped us develop Inter over the past 2 years. I am glad you are staying as President and that you will continue to be involved and support us.
"I am also pleased that I have been requested to stay on as the CEO of Inter and I have accepted. It is an honour to be asked, and it will be a privilege to continue in my role. Thank you to Suning and to Chairman Zhang for this.
"I mentioned that we were seeing the results of our management team’s expertise - our revenues have grown from 164 million in 2014/15 to 186 million in 2015/16 and we expect to reach a bigger increase of revenues for 2016/17.
"And on the pitch let’s not forget that this year we are back in Europe, playing in the UEFA Europa League. This is of course a stepping-stone to the UEFA Champions League, which is our target, as the Champions League is where we want and expect to compete consistently.
"This is where Suning as our owner will be the perfect partner. With their support we will have access to fans in Asia, and more specifically, China, all keen to learn more about Serie A and Inter. In China alone, Inter has over 135 million followers, and Suning’s extraordinary and unbeatable reach will give them access to Inter.
"This in turn will deliver not only big opportunities for our current sponsors, to whom we will be able to offer access and visibility to the Chinese market and the great potential that exists there, but also the opportunity to attract new sponsors – either from China or beyond. And of course the Inter brand offers Suning extensive opportunities for leverage in Europe.
"Further, we can lend our knowledge, our network, and our football know-how, to Jiangsu Suning FC, and through this relationship we will help China and its burgeoning Chinese Super League.
"Together, we will form a strong partnership, one that will help both Inter and Suning grow revenues and achieve more success both on and off the pitch.
"Finally, I want to echo Erick Thohir’s words to our fans. Last season, thanks to your support, Inter’s home games were the best supported across all Italian football. Your belief in Inter, in our players, and in our future, is fundamental to Club. Without you, the fans, there is no Inter. Thank you, and keep supporting us – I promise an exciting future ahead of us."
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FC INTERNAZIONALE PRESS CONFERENCE - 28.06.2016 12:30CEST
