Milan Gazzetta dello Sport was the first Italian media to pay attention to Sporting de Gijón and Li Ang. Di Gennaro, a famous columnist for Milan Gazzetta dello Sport, could be said to be the first Italian media person to pay attention to Li Ang. He had previously analyzed Sporting de Gijón's tactics in his column and praised Li Ang endlessly. As a famous fan of Inter Milan, Di Gennaro had a good personal relationship with Inter Milan's boss, Moratti. Moratti often paid attention to Di Gennaro's articles. It could be said that Li Ang gradually aroused Moratti's interest in Li Ang was inseparable from Di Gennaro's praise of Li Ang from time to time.
At Malpensa Airport, the four giants of Inter Milan received Li Ang, which shocked many people.
After witnessing the scene at the airport, Di Gennaro also drove with the many reporters to Inter Milan's Pinenati training base.
Inter Milan had already announced that they would hold a press conference in two hours to announce important information.
At this point, almost everyone could guess what Inter Milan was going to announce: the Nerazzurri was going to sign a contract with Li Ang!
This young Chinese coach would be the new head coach of Serie A's traditional powerhouse, Inter Milan!
All of Milan, and even all of Italy's media, were busy!
Di Gennaro prayed for Inter Milan, hoping that this was the right choice.
*****
Half an hour before the press conference in the afternoon, the parking lot of Pinenati was already full of cars belonging to the media from all over the Apennine Peninsula. There were even … media from other countries.
In addition to a few well-known Italian media, such as Milan Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Turin Sport, there were also media from Spain, France, England, Portugal, and of course, media from China.
Di Gennaro was used to big scenes and had followed Inter Milan for many years. He had to admit that this lineup was really amazing. Perhaps in the history of Italian football, there had never been a head coach who had caused such a big sensation.
On one hand, it was because Inter Milan was an Italian powerhouse. On the other hand, Li Ang was now famous. He was the new Treble Champion coach, especially when he led Sporting de Gijón to snatch food from the tigers' mouths of Real Madrid and Barcelona, creating the miracle of the first newly promoted team in La Liga. This made the Italians, who prided themselves as "Little World Cups," very curious and very interested in Li's attention to himself. Li Ang Sport.
Of course, Li Ang's identity as a Chinese also attracted a lot of attention.
Although it was already 2005, Europe still did not know much about China. Their impression of Chinese football was pitifully little. The only impression they had was the Chinese national football team that scored nine goals in the World Cup in Korea and Japan. They couldn't imagine that a football desert like this could produce such a young and promising coach.
Because of curiosity and lack of understanding, they were even more surprised by Li Ang's success. Therefore, unprecedented attention was paid to him.
*****
Duan Xuan brought his own production team to film at the entrance of Pinenati Stadium. There were busy crowds coming and going around them, and all kinds of camera equipment were being moved inside.
Sky TV's broadcast van was also here!
Duan Xuan was secretly shocked. He was surprised by the sensation Li Ang had caused. At the same time, he felt proud!
Now, when people talked about Chinese Football, their first impression would no longer be of the embarrassing World Cup in Korea and Japan. Instead, it would be of Li Ang, the European champion coach!
Inter Milan's conference center was originally quite spacious. However, it was now packed to the brim. The reporters were discussing enthusiastically, and the topic naturally revolved around the new head coach of Inter Milan.
After the Central TV production team filmed the grand scene at the entrance, they filmed the crowd in the conference room. Then, the camera was aimed at the front of the stage. The row of tables, which were already filled with microphones and recording pens, was still empty.
Everything was ready and waiting for the main character to appear.
*****
While the reporters were waiting, in a luxurious office in Pinenati Stadium, Li Ang officially had an exchange with Inter Milan's top management.
Inter Milan's president, Giacinto Facchetti? Facchetti was one of Italy's most famous defenders. This gentleman spent his entire playing career at Inter Milan. Although he played as a defender on the field, he had very high attacking power. In the 634 matches he participated in, Giacinto Facchetti? Facchetti scored 75 goals and led Inter Milan to four Serie A titles in 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1971. He also won two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965. This gentleman could be said to have personally experienced and contributed to Inter Milan's "Great International Era." Of course, his resume in the national team was also brilliant. He contributed to Italy winning the 1968 European Cup.
After retiring, Facchetti remained at Inter Milan and held a long-term management position. He served as the technical director, a member of the board of directors, a world ambassador, and the vice-president. At the beginning of 2004, Moratti was disheartened after being criticized. He gave up the position of Inter Milan's president to Facchetti. This veteran of Inter Milan was cautious and conscientious. He vowed to restore the glory of Inter Milan's era.
Li Ang's impression of Facchetti was that of an energetic old man. He spoke well and often recalled the glory of Inter Milan. That was the most glorious era for Facchetti and Inter Milan.
On the other hand, Inter Milan's general manager, Oriali, spoke well and was very elegant. His attitude towards Li Ang was also good. He expressed that he hoped to cooperate with Li Ang sincerely.
Inter Milan's technical director, Blanca, gave Li Ang the impression of a fake smile. Li Ang could feel the alienation behind Blanca's seemingly warm attitude. He knew that Blanca was definitely wary of him and did not welcome him. After all, Li Ang's request for the absolute right to speak on the team's construction had a great impact on Blanca, who had already begun to control the transfer of power. It would be strange if he had a good impression of Li Ang.
*****
Moratti had a smile on his face. He was a pure fan boss. His love for Inter Milan was admirable. He dreamed of recreating the glory of the 'great Inter Milan era.' Every time a new manager took office, Moratti had great confidence in him and provided full assistance. It could be said that he had been defeated repeatedly. Perhaps the setbacks over the years had hurt Moratti, but every time, he would force himself to embark on the journey again with full fighting spirit. Moratti would not give up until he saw the day when Inter Milan dominated Europe.
Li Ang and Moratti chatted happily. The two men did not talk too much about the current Inter Milan. Instead, they talked about the transfer market and some interesting things in the football world.
At this time, Oriali reminded them that it was almost time.
"Let's go. The people below must be waiting anxiously. I hope this is an important moment in the history of Inter Milan! "Moratti could not wait. He was even more anxious than Li Ang. His words showed that he had high expectations for Li Ang.
"This is the beginning of a new era," Li Ang said without modesty.
Facchetti glanced at Li Ang. He did not expect this person to be so confident. Oriali looked at Li Ang with interest. Blanca smiled, but in his heart, he was saying shamelessly. He could not wait for Li Ang to have a problem with the results of the team. Then, he could rightfully take back the transfer rights that belonged to him.
Moratti was surprised and satisfied with Li Ang's sharpness. He believed that Inter Milan currently lacked confidence and vitality. This was also one of the reasons why he chose Li Ang.
*****
When Moratti and the other three giants of Inter Milan surrounded Li Ang at the press conference, the reporters all quieted down. Other than the sound of the machines working, there was no other sound.
"Perhaps many of you have guessed the correct answer. Today, I have an important announcement to make! " Oriali, the general manager of Inter Milan, looked at the black mass of reporters below the stage and spoke into the microphone.
"We are very happy to have reached an agreement with a champion manager. We are honored to invite Manager Li Ang to coach Inter Milan. From now on, Inter Milan will enter the era of Li Ang!"
Although they already knew the theme of today's press conference, when the news was announced, it still caused a huge reaction: the first Chinese manager in the history of Italian football had appeared!
Boom! There was a huge uproar in the packed crowd.
Countless reporters raised their hands. They had too many questions to ask.
"Please be quiet. There will be free time for questions in a while," Oriali said.
Then, Facchetti signed the two copies of the contract on behalf of Inter Milan.
Then, the Inter Milan chairman pushed the contract in front of Li Ang.
*****
Li Ang was just about to take the pen on the table when Moratti, who had been smiling without speaking, took out a pen from his pocket and handed it over. "Use this pen."
There was another uproar. Everyone knew the origin of the pen. It was the pen that Moratti used when he bought Inter Milan back from Pellegrini in the 1990s. This pen was of great significance to Moratti.
The old Moratti sold Inter Milan to Pellegrini. 30 years after the old Moratti left Inter Milan, Inter Milan's old rival, AC Milan, entered its heyday. Inter Milan's fans could only look on with hatred at AC Milan's invincibility. They looked forward to the return of the Moratti family, who had created a glorious record for Inter Milan. In the early 1990s, banners saying "We want Massimo" and "Massimo come quickly" often appeared in the San Siro Stadium.
The memory of his father and his love for Inter Milan made Massimo determined to buy the Inter Milan football club. When he negotiated with the club's former chairman, Pellegrini, he didn't even bargain. It was said that the sum of money was as high as 60 to 70 billion lire (about 38 to 45 million USD). Sitting in the Inter headquarters on Via Durini, Moratti said, "The Moratti family has a special relationship with Inter Milan. It is our responsibility to restore Inter Milan's glory." Pellegrini, who had won the Serie A championship in the 1990-1991 season, held Moratti's hand and said on his deathbed, "I leave Inter Milan in your hands. No one can make me feel more assured than the Moratti family."
Under the complicated and shocked gazes of dozens of reporters, Li Ang took the pen from Moratti and signed his name on the contract.
Then, the four giants and Li Ang stood up.
"Welcome to Inter Milan!" Inter Milan's chairman, Facchetti, shook hands with Li Ang.
"It is my honor to coach such a great team!" Li Ang said politely. The young Chinese coach was full of confidence and high spirits.
Click click click click!
The stadium flashed with cameras.
From this moment on, this century-old powerhouse had officially entered Li Ang's era!
A great era had begun.
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