Stramaccioni future up in the air

Inter president Massimo Moratti has refused to confirm whether Andrea Stramaccioni’s future is dependent on Champions League qualification.

Stramaccioni was a surprise choice to succeed Claudio Ranieri as Inter coach following the latter’s dismissal in March, but the club remain undefeated since the 36-year-old took charge and have now moved to within three points of third-placed Lazio.

It is still being suggested, though, that Stramaccioni will only be given the job on a permanent basis if Inter ensure a Champions League berth for next season, but Moratti refused to confirm if that was the case.

“Well, that’s one way to look at it,” he said. “It’s certainly always good to set objectives because it’s a motivation to constantly do better.”

However, Moratti did admit Stramaccioni has done well to date and revealed he was particularly impressed with Inter’s performance in the 3-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday.

“Yesterday’s game was a good one, certainly very good on the part of the coach above all, and on the part of the players, who expressed themselves exactly how the coach wanted,” he said.

“Then, with their qualities, they knew how to give something more.”

Up next for resurgent Inter is a meeting with already-relegated Cesena at San Siro on Sunday.