Internazionale could make a move for Roberto Di Matteo in the summer.
Andrea Stramaccioni was appointed as Claudio Ranieri’s successor in the Inter dugout last March, but speculation continues to grow that he is already on borrowed time. A run of just two wins in eight Serie A matches, a sequence which includes three defeats, sees the Nerazzurri off the pace when it comes to a top-three finish.
It has been suggested that the 37-year-old will be dismissed unless he qualifies for the UEFA Champions League, and with fixtures against Juventus, Napoli and Lazio still on the agenda before the end of the season, his chances aren’t too promising. A UEFA Europa League last-16 exit to Tottenham Hotspur has further dampened his standing.
According to Football Italia, who cite Italian pundits as their source, Inter could look to Di Matteo if they decide to show Stramaccioni the door. The Swiss-born former Azzurri international, who only actually spent three years as a player in the country he represented, won the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea last season, but was surprisingly sacked by Roman Abramovich following a poor run of results earlier this term.
The 42-year-old, who had previous managerial stints at Milton Keynes Dons and West Bromwich Albion, has since been linked with a host of other clubs, but he remains a free agent. But although the former Lazio midfielder would likely jump at the chance to manage a club the size of Inter, Stramaccioni still believes he has a future at the San Siro.
“I cannot say that I have not always felt 101 percent support from the president, but at the end of the day, he is the president and he cam make any decision he wants, but I don’t get the feeling he wants to get rid of me,” he told a press conference recently.
Despite his apparent optimism, it would be surprising if Stramaccioni is still in the hotseat by the time next season begins. There were even suggestions he could have been dismissed after the 1-0 home defeat to Bologna on 10 March, which came three days after their 3-0 loss at Tottenham in the Europa League. However, Massimo Moratti has yet to wield the axe, but for how long he retains this faith remains to be seen.
