What will Frank de Boer do to Inter?

"I did not have to think about it more for more than a second – it is a perfect job," said Frank de Boer, having replaced Roberto Mancini with two weeks to go until the new Serie A season. "This club want to return to UEFA Champions League football and I share the same ambition."

The Nerazzurri are gearing up for the UEFA Europa League group stage after finishing fourth in Serie A last term, and the 46-year-old former Oranje defender is determined to improve on that. "Inter have a great history," he said. "They won the UEFA Champions League only six years ago. In Italy, there is much more than a great defensive school right now. Teams like Juve and Roma are great to watch. I'm sure I can have success with my style and philosophy if the players will follow me."

"Nothing is impossible and no teams are unbeatable," he concluded. "Things can change very quickly in football."

Mauro Icardi is a proven goalscorer©Getty Images

Time of the essence
The timing of his appointment means that the former Ajax boss will not have much time to work with his players ahead of the new season, but the former Barcelona player is not too concerned. "More time would have helped, but I think we have several experienced players who can learn things very quickly," he explained.

De Boer also underlined the need "to adapt quickly to different formations in modern football", but there is little doubt that his preferred style is a 4-3-3 – an article of faith at Ajax, the club where he played for more than ten years and coached for the last six. The question is whether Inter have the players to fit that template?

Three up front
Attacking wingers Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perišić and striker Mauro Icardi would all seem to be a perfect fit for De Boer's attacking trident. "Icardi can still learn a lot but has already proved to be a fantastic player," De Boer said of the 23-year-old, who has scored 47 goals in his last three Serie A seasons with Inter.

Midfield options
In midfield, new signing Éver Banega could be crucial. "We analysed the squad and I think he could play as a deep-lying playmaker," De Boer said of the former Sevilla man. "But we will see in the next few days. I want to take a close look at the squad as watching videos is not the same as working every day with players." Geoffrey Kondogbia – eager to rebound from a disappointing first season – and Marcelo Brozović could play either side of Banega but Felipe Melo and Gary Medel are also reliable options.

At the back
Centre-backs Miranda and Jeison Murillo and goalkeeper Samir Handanovič give Inter great solidity at the back with new signings Christian Ansaldi and Caner Erkin also helping in this sense. There could be surprises, however, as De Boer was appointed also for his well-documented ability to work with young players. "Inter have a great academy and it will be part of my job to look closely at the youth system because it's a huge investment for the club," he said.