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Inter Milan executives express full support for De Boer

MILAN (AP) - Frank de Boer was given the full support of Inter Milan executives on Friday, even though the coach has produced only four wins in the club's opening 10 Serie A matches.

"We're very satisfied with Frank de Boer," club CEO Michael Bolingbroke said after an Inter shareholders meeting. "He accepted to come here at the last minute and it's not an easy situation. We're 100 percent behind him."

De Boer was hired less than two weeks before the season began after Roberto Mancini stepped down unexpectedly amid a reported lack of communication with the club's new owners, the Chinese retail giant Suning.

Inter is in 10th place, 10 points behind Serie A leader Juventus. The team has also lost two of three Europa League games under De Boer.

Inter's chief sport officer, Piero Ausilio, said no other coaches have been contacted as a possible replacement for De Boer.

"A lot of people are offering themselves but Inter's bench belongs to Frank de Boer," Ausilio said. "We support him and we're convinced that his football project will be a winning one."

Suning vice president Yang Yang indicated that Erick Thohir, the Indonesian entrepreneur who purchased Inter from the Moratti family three years ago, would remain president.

"We're very pleased with the current club setup." Yang said, according to the ANSA news agency. "(Thohir) is also our partner in southeast Asia, where we want to expand. We fully believe in him."

In June, Suning took control of 70 percent of Inter, with Thohir retaining 30 percent.

Inter says its adjusted deficit for 2015-16 is less than 30 million euros ($33 million), making the club compliant with UEFA's financial fair play settlement.

Inter Milan coach Frank De Boer follows the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Torino at the Milan San Siro stadium, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press
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