Inter Milan one of the biggest football club home of Ronaldo Luis Figo Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio
Inter Milan are in the middle of one of the most successful spells in their history. Known simply as Inter, the club has been in existence since 1908, when a reluctance to let foreign players play for AC Milan meant that those who disagreed decided to start a club of their own, and so Inter Milan came into existence. Home of great footballers like Ronaldo (Brazil), Luis Figo, Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio, Inter are one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Italian football has been plagued by several major scandals, both on and off the field. Although there have been allegations, Inter have never been found guilty of any serious wrong-doing. In fact, Inter have prospered a great deal due to the punishments handed out to clubs around them, especially their bitter rivals A.C. Milan and Juventus.
Inter's first title, in nearly two decades, was awarded to them after Juventus (who had originally won the title) were found guilty of influencing referees during the course of the Serie A season, and were consequently stripped of the title and relegated to Serie B. The harsh punishments handed out to Juventus and A.C. Milan, in particular, meant that Inter had a head-start in the next season as well.
Indeed, the sanctions seem to have knocked the stuffing out of Juventus, as they have struggled since their relegation to mount a serious title challenge or perform admirably in Europe. A.C. Milan have coped a little better, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2007, but have not managed to lift Inter's stranglehold on the title. Inter used the situation to their advantage to strengthen their team and make it indisputably the best in Italy, at the very least. Winning the league 5 times in a row, their dominance has been absolute.
For the last two seasons, Inter were coached by the Portuguese master tactician Jose Mourinho, who has taken the club to new heights. His first season at the club was, perhaps, no better than the season Inter had before his arrival. However, once he had made the changes he felt necessary, and created what he called the team's 'identity’, Jose Mourinho did for Inter, in two years, what no other coach had accomplished in all of Italian football. Inter Milan completed the treble, taking the Serie A title, the Copa Italia and the most prestigious trophy in Europe, the UEFA Champions League.
Inter had not won the competition in 45 years, and it was an emotional moment for Club President Massimo Moratti, whose father was the last President to guide Inter to a European Cup. However, the victory meant that Jose Mourinho decided to take up a new challenge, at Real Madrid, and left his position as the Head Coach at Inter.
It is said often that no man is bigger than the club and evidence suggests that the statement is true, but replacing a Coach like Jose Mourinho is very difficult and the appointment of Rafa Benitez has meant that the club has lost more than it has gained. After failing spectacularly in his last season at Liverpool, one wonders why the champions of Europe would choose to appoint Benitez, but almost any man was going to look pale in comparison to the man they were replacing. For Inter, the next season will be more about keeping their team together, and making a few small changes, if any at all. They will still head into the Italian competitions as favourites, but the Champions of Europe will be hoping they don't run into their former Coach as they look to retain their crown.
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