Inter great Dejan Stankovic has backed his former team to recover from their crisis and become a major player in Italian and European football once again.
Inter conquered all before them under Jose Mourinho in the 2009-10 season, winning an unprecedented Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble.
However, Inter s last appearance at Europe s top table was in 2012 and they have not finished in the top three in Serie A since finishing runners-up six years ago, while the club have gone through nine coaches since Mourinho s departure.
But Stankovic says Inter, backed by wealthy owners Suning Holdings Group, are on the road to recovery.
Speaking exclusively to Omnisport, Stankovic said: I have always been an optimist.
My opinion is that Inter will overcome the current crisis and will soon be a serious competitor for the title and success in Europe.
Perhaps the crisis was expected because of many changes and developments. Now, Inter face a period of stability and good results.
Stankovic was instrumental in Inter s rise to the summit, both domestically and abroad under Mourinho.
The former Serbia international won 15 trophies in total at San Siro and it is an era that the 38-year-old remembers fondly.
Inter are very special for me. It is definitely the club where I achieved my greatest success and where I feel like I am at home, he said.
I have not changed a lot of clubs in my career, that s why each of them have a special place in my life. However Inter are the most special club because of the many trophies I won and many beautiful years I spent there.
Head coach Stefano Pioli has managed to provide some stability at Inter after a woeful start to the season under former boss Frank de Boer.
The honeymoon period, however, is over amid three games without a win following last week s shock loss at Crotone, a result that has seen the pressure continue to mount on Pioli.
It meant Inter dropped to seventh, leapfrogged by city rivals AC Milan ahead of Saturday s derby in the race for European football, but Stankovic has called for patience.
I appreciate Pioli and I think he will achieve success at Inter, he just needs time and support, added Stankovic, who made 326 appearances during his time at the club.
I expect him to keep up the good work and to see him on the bench next season as well.
I am sure that Mr Pioli and the sports sector of Inter will find the right balance to their achieve goals.
