Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovacic believes Walter Mazzarri is the right man to bring glory back to the club.
#INSERT type:image caption:Walter Mazzarri will lead Inter into the Europa League next season. END#
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Doubts have been raised about the future of Mazzarri, who took charge of the Nerazzurri last summer. Securing a place in the Europa League next season appears to have restored some of that faith, even if the club's expectations were greater when he arrived having led Napoli to second last term.
However, the improvement of four positions on their ninth-place finish of 2013 is just the first step towards restoring Inter to the zenith of Italian football, according to Kovacic, who has sung his coach's praises.
"He's taught me a great deal," Kovacic told Mediaset television. "He's strengthened me defensively and improved my attacking movements. I believe Inter need to put their faith in him to get back to winning ways."
Mazzarri is expected to be given more freedom on the transfer market this summer with new president Erick Thohir promising a revolution of the playing staff.
Nemanja Vidic will arrive on a free transfer from Manchester United, but he should be only the first of several new faces in the Inter dressing room in August, when their season starts with a Europa League qualifier.
Inter's aim is to challenge for silverware again next season, with the ultimate prize in European football, which they last won in 2010, an objective during Kovacic's stay at the club.
"We need to get the Champions League trophy back to the San Siro," said the Croatian midfielder. "Inter cannot be happy with fifth place. It was a difficult year for us, but at least an improvement on last season."