Vecchi: "Thank you to the club and my coaching staff"

MILAN – Stefano Vecchi had warm words for Inter and his own coaching staff after he rounded off his spell in charge of the first team with a 5-2 victory over Udinese on the final day of Serie A 2016/17.

Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Vecchi admitted that Inter had underperformed this season, but stressed that he has always felt supported in his role.

"Unfortunately we’ve not been able to achieve our objectives for the season. There’s nothing to celebrate but I’m happy with the job we’ve done," he began. "I want to thank my staff and the club for the support and respect they’ve shown me. We’ve worked with professionalism and the group responded positively and tried to react because Inter deserve more than seventh place. Now I need to complete my work with the Primavera."

Vecchi also had warm words for Rodrigo Palacio, who made his final appearance for the club in the win over Udinese.

"It’s been an honour to coach him," he said. "I’ve been able to appreciate his humility and character over the past few years. He’s always been a great example for everyone and it’s a shame that the post denied him a goal today. That would have been the cherry on the cake – he deserved that. As a coach you have to make decisions but it was right that Rodrigo was given an ovation for everything he’s done."