Thohir gives backing to under-pressure Inter Milan coach Mazzarri

Inter Milan president Erick Thohir has handed coach Walter Mazzarri a vote of confidence despite his team's slow start to the season.

The Nerazzurri lost 3-0 at Fiorentina on Sunday to pile further pressure on Mazzarri.

That defeat came just a week after their 4-1 humiliating loss at home to Cagliari and dropped Inter to 10th in the standings, with just two wins from their opening six Serie A games.

"The defeats to Cagliari and Fiorentina have shaken us a little bit," Thohir said to www.inter.it. "But I am convinced that the will is there from everyone to improve.

"The Italian league is extremely competitive and that is why some patience is needed. We need to analyse the situation that the team is going through.

"Mazzarri will do his best for Inter and we will grant him the opportunity to do so. The coach continues to have our trust.

"We hope that the international break will be useful to evaluate the situation. The players now need to have a period of introspection in order to prepare for the next match in the best way possible."

Thohir is already working towards making future additions to the squad in the winter transfer market.

"We shall see what is needed," he said. "Perhaps we are in need of a quality midfielder at the same level of (Inter's) Hernanes or (Mateo) Kovacic and also a skilful striker who has good aerial ability.

"I can't say anything further because we still need to evaluate everything.

"The defence is fine and the midfield is doing well too - we have important players who are performing to a high standard, such as Kovacic, (Gary) Medel and Hernanes."

Inter, who are also competing in the Europa League this season, next face Napoli at the San Siro on October 19.