Inter’s Zanetti thanks Inzaghi and discusses Lautaro Martinez outburst | OneFootball

Inter vice-president and club legend Javier Zanetti has thanked former head coach Simone Inzaghi after doing an ‘extraordinary job’ at the club, whilst revealing the rift formed between Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu after the Club World Cup was “resolved by talking.”

Speaking to Juan Pablo Varsky on Clank!, via Alfredo Pedulla’s website, Zanetti was full of praise for Inzaghi, who left the club after four years to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal this summer. Zanetti described the relationship with the head coach as “always excellent” and said “I want to thank Simone for everything he did.”

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 15: Inter vice president Javier Zanetti attends a meeting at Casa Tennis during the Nitto ATP Finals 2023 on November 15, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images for Citta Di Torino)

Zanetti was also asked whether or not the Nerazzurri were distracted by the speculation surrounding Inzaghi when they were defeated 5-0 in the Champions League final by PSG: “We were all focused on the Champions League final – nobody was thinking about what would come after. I don’t know but that is how it went, people talked about this because we lost.”

Zanetti on Inter’s Lautaro outburst

After Inter were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Brazilian outfit Fluminense, Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez publicly slammed teammate Hakan Calhanoglu, saying that anybody who doesn’t want to be at the club should just leave, amid speculation linking the former Milan midfielder to a return to Turkey.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammate Lautaro Martinez after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 09, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Quickly though, any rift was repaired and the drama between the two was promptly quashed. Speaking about the incident, Zanetti said “[Lautaro] has a great sense of belonging. I’m happy with his journey – he reminds me of my own beginnings. After the Club World Cup, everything moved very quickly. The match ends and suddenly you have a microphone in your face. I understand him, it was one of those moments.

“What matters is rebuilding, he even posted a picture with Calhanoglu. These things get resolved by talking. Now we’re focused on the new season.”