End of an era: Piero Ausilio leaves Inter; Dario Baccin takes the helm

A shock at the top. Piero Ausilio terminates his contract a year early, clearing the way for his right-hand man, Dario Baccin, to lead Inter’s technical area.

The sudden farewell of a Nerazzurro lifer

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Appiano Gentile, FC Internazionale Milano and Piero Ausilio have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. Ausilio served the Beneamata for nearly three decades, rising from Club Secretary in the late 90s to the Head of the Technical Area. His exit, confirmed by the club, marks the end of a 28-year journey during which he helped secure nine trophies—including three Scudetti—and oversaw the transition through three different club ownerships. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a disagreement over long-term strategy with Oaktree and a mere one-year extension offer were the catalysts for this premature divorce.

Dario Baccin: The right-hand man promoted

Inter has chosen internal continuity, immediately promoting deputy Dario Baccin to the Sporting Director role. Baccin is a figure deeply respected by President Beppe Marotta and carries a legendary piece of lore: he famously rejected a call from Marotta to join Juventus in 2017, choosing instead to join Ausilio at Inter because of his lifelong support for the Nerazzurri. After years of working in the shadows and leading the club's scouting operations, Baccin now steps into the light to guide Inter’s strategy under the Oaktree mandate.

The legacy of a complicated genius

Ausilio’s tenure will be remembered for its duality. He was the architect of masterstrokes like the Lautaro Martínez signing and navigated the club through its darkest financial "settlement agreement" years with incredible creativity. However, the Oaktree era requires a shift toward younger profiles and more aggressive profit-generation through player sales—areas where Ausilio had recently found it difficult to align with the new American ownership. While he leaves as a true Interista who bled black and blue, the club believes Baccin is better suited for the high-pressure financial bridge to 2030.

A new technical structure for the future

Following in the footsteps of Ausilio’s own rise after Marco Branca, Baccin’s promotion signals a lean, data-driven approach. His experience as an influential voice in the technical area for the last seven years means there will be no "learning curve," but he will be expected to improve the club’s ability to generate capital gains (Plusvalenza) from the squad’s fringe players. The Marotta-Baccin era begins today, and the first task will be navigating the final hours of a hectic summer window.

The ForzaIM Take

Piero deserved more than a one-year "probation" offer after 28 years of service, but that is the cold reality of Oaktree’s management. He kept us afloat when we had no money and helped build a champion side. That said, Baccin is a brilliant football mind and a man who chose us over the Rube when it mattered most. If he can bring the scouting precision he’s known for to the negotiation table and finally fix our difficulty in selling deadwood, we might actually be better off. Grazie di tutto, Piero. In bocca al lupo, Dario.

Do you think Baccin's promotion will lead to a more successful transfer strategy than Ausilio's?

Forza Inter sempre!