Indonesian Inter aiming for world's top 10

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Indonesian Inter aiming for world's top 10

By Paul Virgo (ANSA.IT) 17:16, November 19, 2013

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Milan, November 15 - Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir vowed to make sure Inter Milan are consistently among the elite of international soccer after being elected club chairman Friday.

Media and entertainment magnate Thohir last month signed a deal to buy a controlling stake in the club from the man he is replacing as chairman, Massimo Moratti.

"In 10 years' time only 10 soccer clubs will be remembered worldwide for being winners, for the enthusiasm they transmit and because they are healthy (financially)," Thohir said at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting that ratified the arrival of the consortium he leads at the Serie A giants. "This is a truly special day in my life. Inter is a magnificent story of passion, a tradition of winning and commitment to excellence. "As (late Inter great) Giacinto Facchetti said, 'The secret of every triumph lies in your own belief'. Our belief lies in our passion and our passion will pave the way for Inter's future success. Forza Inter".

The changeover marks the end of the double 'Moratti eras' of oilmen Angelo, who bankrolled the 'Great Inter' of the 1950s and '60s, and his son Massimo, who took over the Milanese club in 1995 and spent lavishly and vainly for years before finally equalling his father's success.

The 'Great Inter' side won two European Cups in the 1960s, and four scudetti between 1963 and 1971.

The crowning achievement of Massimo's stint was the unprecedented Champions League-Serie A-Italian Cup treble by Jose' Mourinho's side in 2010, which gave Moratti Jr a tally of five league titles, including one claimed because of Juventus's demotion after a match-fixing scandal.

"I leave this club in the hands of people who have a sense of responsibility and faith in the project (for it) as well as enormous respect for Inter's history and colours," Moratti said at the meeting, at which he was made honorary chairman. Moratti, who still has a stake of around 28% of the club, is no longer a board member but his son Angelomario Moratti is among the new list of directors.

Inter are the second Serie A club to come under foreign control after an American consortium took over league leaders AS Roma in 2011.

Thohir's arrival has been greeted with misgivings by some fans.

But many are hopeful of seeing a reversal of the prudent approach to transfer spending Moratti has adopted in recent years. Inter finished a lowly ninth last season, outside the European qualification slots.

But new coach Walter Mazzarri has shown signs he can get more out of a young squad with relatively few stars. Inter are currently fourth in Serie A with 25 points from 12 games, seven points behind leaders AS Roma.

"Mazzarri has put down the foundations to do an excellent job over the last few months," said Thohir. "We have the utmost faith in him. We'll work hard to build an Inter side than can win ever more".

Thohir spoke in English at Friday's press conference, but he did use Italian to start off one of the favourite chants of Inter fans "Chi non salta rossonero è" - anyone who isn't jumping is a Milan fan.

Thohir already has a presence in the world of sport as part owner of Major League Soccer club DC United and the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team.