Italian press reports have put an end to speculation surrounding the future of Piero Ausilio, the sporting director of Inter Milan, confirming his commitment to his position within the "Nerazzurri" stronghold and his categorical rejection of any external offers, including the growing interest from the Saudi Professional League.
A decisive stance regarding Al-Hilal's offer
According to the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, Ausilio has no intention of leaving the Italian club in the coming months, preferring to remain in his position to complete the sporting project he initiated. The newspaper also reported that Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has expressed serious and ongoing interest in signing the experienced sporting director to benefit from his extensive experience in the transfer market and managing sporting affairs.
Despite the potential temptations, Ausilio showed no flexibility towards this interest, as he refused to open the door to negotiations during the last summer transfer window, and reiterated his firm refusal to enter into any talks during the upcoming winter transfer window, denying any direct official contact with the "Leader" administration.
Nerazzurri project engineer and administrative stability
Ausilio's decision to stay in Milan stems from the club's current stability, both on and off the field, particularly following their historic 20th Serie A title win and the addition of their second star. Having spent decades within the club and risen through its ranks, Ausilio is considered a key figure in the sporting management, alongside President Giuseppe Marotta.
The pair succeeded in building a strong competitive team with well-thought-out budgets, and reaching the Champions League final in 2023, which strengthened Ausilio’s desire to continue this success and not abandon the project halfway through.
Saudi Arabia's focus on administrative competencies
On the other hand, Al-Hilal's interest in Ausilio reflects a general trend in the Saudi Professional League (SPL), which is not limited to attracting top-tier international players, but also extends to acquiring administrative talent and sporting directors from elite European clubs. As the Asian champion and one of the most decorated clubs, Al-Hilal seeks to strengthen its administrative structure with individuals possessing extensive experience in European football to ensure the sustainability of its successes and keep pace with the tremendous development of the Saudi sports project.
The reports concluded by confirming that Ausilio has completely closed this file, preferring to focus entirely on the challenges of the current season with Inter Milan, as the team seeks to retain the Scudetto title and compete strongly in the Champions League.
