Inter Milan coach Walter Mazzarri has received a vote of confidence ahead of today’s home match against Bologna.
The Nerazzurri head into the encounter at San Siro after a run of three games without a victory.
Reports in Italy have linked Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini with a return to the Nerazzurri hot seat this summer. Mancini led Inter to three Serie A titles before leaving in 2008.
Inter president Erick Thohir said he is not considering making a coaching change any time soon.
“If I didn’t have confidence in him [Mazzarri], I would have let him go a couple of months ago,” he told the club’s official website, www.inter.it.
“I’ve offered him my support as I’ve done before. We need to get our focus back on the game because we still have matches to play.”
Inter threw away a 2-0 half-time lead and had to settle for a 2-2 result at Serie A strugglers Livorno on Monday.
The outcome left the Nerazzurri in fifth position – the last Europa League qualifying spot and two points clear of Parma.
“I will do the possible and the impossible to take Inter as high as possible,” Mazzarri said. “Depending on where we finish in the standings, it will be easier to plan for the future.”
Bologna coach Davide Ballardini is also feeling the heat because his team is fighting against relegation.
Ballardini replaced Stefano Pioli in January and has mustered just 11 points in 13 games in charge of the Rossoblu.
Last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Atalanta was Bologna’s third loss in their past four games and dropped them to 17th place, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
“I am certain I can change things,” Ballardini said. “I have the backing of my players and although things are complicated, we will come out of this situation.
“We are still above the drop zone and we must try to take as many points as possible regardless of who we face.”
Mazzarri will have all of his players available, with the exception of injured defender Hugo Campagnaro.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
