Erick Thohir has been elected the new president of Inter Milan at a general board meeting.
After 18 years at the helm of the Serie A club, Thohir’s predecessor, Massimo Moratti, said the time had come to "pass the reins" to Thohir, who has taken a 70 percent share in the club.
“I am leaving this club with the certainty that I am leaving it to people who have a sense of responsibility and respect for the colours and the history of Inter,” Moratti said at a news conference in Milan. “Even meeting them yesterday at Appiano [Gentile, the club’s training ground] gave me the faith that we can move on and create something new.
“I'd like to thank everybody for giving me this marvellous experience and I wish everybody even greater successes to come.”
Massimo's son Angelomario will assume his family’s place on the board, with Massimo bidding the club adieu on an historic day as Thohir thanked his “friend and new partner” for his faith and support.
“Today is a very special day in my life,” he said. “Inter embodies within itself a splendid history of passion, a winning tradition and strong ambitions. Our conviction lies in our passion, which will pave the way for Inter to have new, greater successes. Forza Inter.”
The Indonesian plans to make Inter one of the top 10 clubs in the world over the next decade, counting on the hard work and support of everybody within the club while trying to attract new fans from Asia and the United States, all with the scope of “creating a winning team.”
Moratti will be honorary president of the new Inter, although he says it is only right that Thohir becomes the new authoritative figure, having turned down the chance to remain in his role.
“The new partners insisted that I or my son remain president, and I thank them for it,” he said. “Obviously it was not easy in terms of my affection, or given how close I felt the fans and the Inter people were to me, but thinking pragmatically, it was right to find a new partner, a partner who has the vivacity and ambition to bring something new to the club.
“Thohir will take this enthusiasm to countries which are growing and see Inter as a jewel. I and my son will try to be helpful to them.”
Thohir made a promising start to life as Inter's new president with his first words in Italian: Evoking a favourite chant of the Nerazzurri fans, he said the only people not jumping are Rossoneri.
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