Inter, Ausilio: Proud of Kovacic, Brozovic, Lautaro, regrets Kvaratskhelia | OneFootball

Piero Ausilio, Inter's sporting director, shares his career in the Nerazzurri in an extensive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. The Milanese executive counts among his achievements the negotiations for the acquisitions of Kovacic, Brozovic, Onana, Lautaro, Bisseck, and Thuram, while his greatest regret is not being able to sign Kvaratskhelia.

Ausilio between pride and regrets: “Proud of Kovacic, Brozovic, and Lautaro. The mistake? Kvaratskhelia”

Inter's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, opened up in a long interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, recounting the most significant moments of his career, including successful insights, challenging operations, and some regrets.

The achievements to be proud of

Ausilio has no doubts in naming those who, in his opinion, best represent his work with the Nerazzurri:

Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, chosen in tandem with Marco Branca

André Onana, acquired on a free transfer and sold a year later for 55 million euros

Lautaro Martinez, now a symbol of Inter

Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram, both brought in through strategic operations

“These are deals that make me proud,” explains Ausilio, “because they combined technical intuition and economic management.”

The regret of Kvaratskhelia

Among the regrets, the executive includes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, now a star at Napoli:

“I wasn't the only one who missed out: he was offered to many top Italian clubs. But we played with a 3-5-2 formation, and he is a player for a 4-3-3. That's why we didn't sign him.”

A choice dictated by the tactical compatibility of the moment, which now seems like a missed opportunity.

The toughest deal: between market and private life

Ausilio also recalls a complicated operation, not so much for technical reasons, but due to the player's personal life:

“It was a very tough period, we were struggling to pay salaries. We were about to sign when a famous divorce lawyer called me: he couldn't leave, his wife wanted a separation and had requested the withdrawal of his passport. I locked them in a room until they reached a divorce agreement. Only then did we complete the transfer.”

An episode that highlights how, in the transfer market, extra-sporting factors can have a decisive impact.

The reproach at home: the Jashari case

Finally, a curious behind-the-scenes story. When Milan signed Ardon Jashari, a young Swiss talent, Ausilio's son, Niccolò, did not hide his disappointment:

“He told me: ‘I recommended him to you when he was at Lucerne, and you let him slip away.’ It's true, but we can't sign all the good ones.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.