Piero Ausilio Turns Down ‘Monstrous’ Saudi Offer, Chooses Loyalty to Inter Milan Over Petrodollars

Inter Milan's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, reportedly worth €10 million a season. Despite the significant financial incentive and the opportunity to reunite with former Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, Ausilio has chosen to remain loyal to Inter.

Piero Ausilio (Image Source: Getty)

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has remained true to the Nerazzurri on multiple occasions by rejecting the supposed offers that are as "monstrous" as this one from Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League. Despite the eye-watering salary package on the table, Ausilio chose to remain loyal to the San Siro, reinforcing his commitment to the club he has served for more than a decade. This comes as Saudi clubs are ramping up their efforts to convince European players, on the pitch and off, to play in the Middle East, but Ausilio is adamant that he has no plans to travel there, as he remains in Milan. Inter fans have hailed his position as vital towards preserving the balance of the team and the sporting project, with the club not wanting to lose the Inter CEO at any cost.

Details of the offer and what was on the table

In Italy, there are reports of a staggering offer made to Ausilio from Al-Hilal worth €10 million a season, almost three times his salary at Inter. The deal also featured several lucrative add-ons and performance bonuses, making it one of the most attractive bids ever offered to a European director of football. The new Saudi lot has Inzaghi in charge after taking him from Inter in the summer, and had eyed Ausilio to lead their ambitious long-term project. Al-Hilal was considered the main contender due to Inzaghi's desire to collaborate with an experienced and trusted individual in restructuring the club's sporting hierarchy. It was not the first time Ausilio had been linked with a move away from Inter; however, the extent of the interest from Al-Hilal, who made no secret of their intentions to take him from Inter, was an interesting news story given his capacity for squad building. He has been at the heart of shrewd signings, balance sheets, and keeping the team near the top domestically and continentally over the years. To have a director like Ausilio on board would have been a statement of intent for Saudi clubs that wish to become a force in world football. Also Read: Al-Hilal await response from Inter Milan sporting director amid reunion talks with Simone Inzaghi

What this means for Inter Milan going forward

Rejecting the offer is a clear statement from Ausilio that his love for Inter is worth more than any foreign pay-packet. He is under contract with Inter until 2027, according to reports, and is one of their people that Inter wants to tie down to a longer-term deal. Stability is important for any club, but even more so for one that has experienced a somewhat turbulent time financially and from a managerial aspect, and in this respect, keeping a constant presence, such as Ausilio, provides that for Inter. It also compared very favourably with every coach and player who has recently departed for Saudi Arabian riches, making him look every bit the professional devoted to the sporting integrity of Inter.

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