Hiddink or Pioli for Inter job

By Football Italia staff

Guus Hiddink is emerging as a strong candidate to take the Inter job, despite an agreement being reached with Stefano Pioli.

Frank de Boer was sacked after just 84 days at the helm, having suffered seven defeats in his total 14 competitive games, and as per his contract receives €1.3m.

It seems as if a new Coach won’t be appointed until at least the weekend, because majority shareholders Suning Group are sending chief Jun Ren to Milan on Friday.

He wants to meet with all the prospective candidates, including Pioli and ex-Villarreal manager Marcelino.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera newspapers, the latest name flying to the top of the list is Hiddink.

It might seem risky to fire one Dutch Coach to replace him with another, but Suning are confident he can do for Inter what he did at Chelsea when replacing sacked Jose Mourinho in December 2015.

There is a very definite split within the club, as various factions are pushing for different Coaches.

Multiple sources claim director of sport Piero Ausilio and technical director Giovanni Gardini have already agreed terms with Pioli following a meeting today in Milan.

Pioli would sign a contract with Inter until June 2018 with wages worth €1.3m per season, essentially the same terms De Boer was on.

That also includes the clause guaranteeing a year’s worth of wages if he is fired prematurely.

However, Suning complain they do not know much about Pioli and want a bigger name to lead the club.

Meanwhile, Primavera youth team boss Stefano Vecchi will be on the bench against Southampton and Crotone.

There is a break for international duty coming up, but assuming a new Coach is appointed during that period, his debut will be the Derby della Madonnina with city rivals Milan.

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