EXCLUSIVE Romano: Why Zanetti's permanence is good for Inter

• 29 feb 2016

Javier Zanetti is very close to extending his stay as Inter Milan Vice-President. At a time when the club is in crisis, and the bad news is coming thick and thin, JZ4's work stands out as an oasis amid a desert of uncertainty. 

Few at Inter were happy that owner Erick Thohir had chosen to trial the former Captain until 2016, especially when Zanetti has, so far, been responsible for helping Piero Ausilio land Ever Banega, as well as send Fredy Guarin off to Asia, something he did through former team-mate Javier Farinos' (remember him?) agent. The Argentine's role extends beyond his transfer savvy: after another defeat - to a bitter rival no less- Il Capitano was there to show his face and speak for the club, alongside Piero Ausilio ("we need to show some balls!"). 

El Pupi is hammering out the final details of his new Inter contract. The Nerazzurri could do a lot worse than pick a man whose symbolic value to the club is immense, and who has shown that he is learning the ropes of his current job, and making some impressive progress.