So after resolving the issues with captain Mauro Icardi, the spotlight at Inter falls back on to coach Frank de Boer. The defeat against Cagliari on Sunday, his fifth in 10 matches, has not gone down well with the Inter hierarchy who let the Dutchman know about their dissatisfaction at yesterday’s meeting at Appiano Gentile that eventually saw Icardi retain the captains armband. Now Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Southampton and next weekend’s trip to Atalanta will be pivotal in deciding de Boer’s future at the club.
 

Inter executives are particularly concerned over some of the tactical choices by the former Ajax boss and his relationship towards certain players such as Kondogbia and Brozovic. Sunday’s substitution involving Jovetic upset the balance of the team and from a winning situation; the nerazzurri succumbing to late sucker punches from their opponent. It’s believed that de Boer is much too conservative, preferring to protect rather than looking to finish off his opponent. Another accusation levelled against him is the fitness of the squad who once again looked to be running out of gas towards the end of Sunday’s contest.

Steve Mitchell @barafundler