Inter Milan's Second Major Upheaval in Three Years: The Rising Prospect of Marotta as Club President

Three years ago, Inter Milan celebrated their 19th league title, but the joy was short-lived as the departure of Antonio Conte and the eruption of a financial crisis cast a shadow over their victory. Today, as Inter proudly adds a second star to their badge, they face what could be their greatest upheaval in eight years, with the potential change in major ownership putting the club in a precarious position once more.

This pattern is not new to Inter’s history. Fourteen years ago, after achieving the pinnacle of success in the club’s history, José Mourinho announced his departure, and agents of players like Diego Milito quickly sought pay raises from Massimo Moratti, triggering a comprehensive crisis in the post-treble era. This seems to be the destiny of the Nerazzurri. Unlike clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, which consistently bring joy and glory to their fans, Inter often presents a mix of joy, anxiety, tension, and even pain. Few elite clubs endure as many ups and downs, yet still retain a devoted fan base as passionate as Inter's.

In just a few hours, the suspense regarding Inter’s future major shareholder will be revealed. Zhang Kangyang is making his last-ditch efforts, while Oak Tree Capital prepares to take over the club. Some public figures or commentators are trying to spin this into a narrative of “America is the land of opportunity,” but these times have changed, and fewer people are buying into this rhetoric. During this sensitive period, many Inter fans worldwide have begun to call for Giuseppe Marotta to be the next president of Inter Milan after Zhang. This call represents a consensus among many—whether it is Oak Tree Capital or representatives like Lautaro Martinez or coach Simone Inzaghi, all have recently expressed similar sentiments: deep gratitude for Zhang’s work over the past years, but a belief that as long as Marotta is around, there is no reason to panic.

Three years ago, when Conte left amidst turmoil, Marotta proved to be the stabilizing force. Today, the situation remains similar. Therefore, the voices calling for Marotta to simply become the next president of Inter Milan are growing louder. Some may find this idea incredible: Marotta is merely an employee, not a major shareholder. How could this be possible? Yet, it is indeed possible. Historically, Inter’s club presidents have usually been major shareholders. However, there have been exceptional periods when non-major shareholders served as presidents, primarily to stabilize the club.

For example, after Suning’s acquisition of Inter in 2016, Erick Thohir remained president until 2018, even though he was no longer the major shareholder. Suning’s goal was to ensure a smooth transition and stability. However, the chaos during those years proved that entrusting the role to someone without genuine responsibility, like Thohir, was a mistake. Another example is in 2004 when, facing intense protests from ultras dissatisfied with Inter's performance and Moratti’s management, Moratti stepped down as president and appointed Giacinto Facchetti, a move aimed at stabilizing the club. This became a turning point in Moratti’s nearly 20-year tenure with Inter.

Now, 20 years later, could Inter replicate this success? It’s certainly possible. Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed today through extensive coverage that Oak Tree Capital has already been in contact with Inter’s management, reiterating their appreciation for Marotta and promising to keep him in his role, possibly even granting him a more significant role within the club. This is why speculation about Marotta becoming the new president is rampant, as there isn’t a position more important than CEO.

Many financial and international affairs experts believe that finding a proxy while remaining behind the scenes is a common strategy for American capital. For example, RedBird Capital is the major shareholder of AC Milan, yet the club president is the Italian Paolo Scaroni. The degree of autonomy of these frontmen is another matter. Regardless, for Inter, which might be on the brink of significant changes, Marotta’s role is incredibly important.

Last night, at a dinner at the Sforza Castle, Beppe Baresi asked Marotta to continue working for Inter beyond 2027. Marotta replied, “I will be 70 years old in 2027! Did I ever say I would leave Inter when my contract expires? If the club continues to progress as it is now, it would be hard for me to step away. We are such a wonderful family!”