
Former Inter Milan president Ernesto Pellegrini dies aged 84 just hours before the Champions League final - with players to wear black armbands
Former Inter Milan president Ernesto Pellegrini has died at the age of 84 just hours before tonight's Champions League final in Munich.
Pellegrini owned the club between 1984 and 1995 and presided over a trophy-laden era, winning a record-breaking Serie A title and two UEFA Cups.
A Milan native and successful businessman, Pellegrini bought the Italian giants from Ivanoe Fraizzoli and was influential in the arrivals of several superstars, including Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Inter also won the Supercoppa Italiana under his stewardship, while the club's 1991 UEFA Cup triumph brought to an end a 26-year wait for a European trophy.
Pellegrini went on to sell the club to Massimo Moratti in 1995.
He was inducted into the club's esteemed Hall of Fame in 2020.
According to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pellegrini passed away at 8am on Saturday morning, shortly before the Champions League final.
Inter will take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena and the Italian side's players will wear black armbands to pay tribute to their late president.
Confirming Pellegrini's passing, Inter said: 'President Ernesto Pellegrini has left us.
'For eleven years he led Inter with wisdom, honour and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the history of our Club.
'FC Internazionale Milano and all the Nerazzurri fans gather around his family.'
Pellegrini leaves behind his wife Ivana and daughter Valentina.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
24 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Nicolas Kuhn edging closer to completing his Celtic exit as ‘Hoops in advanced transfer talks with club'
NICOLAS KUHN is reportedly edging closer to completing his Celtic exit this summer. The German winger, 25, has been attracting interest following his standout campaign both in Scotland and in the Champions League last season. 2 Nicolas Kuhn could be on his way out of Parkhead Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 He's not short of transfer options Credit: Kenny Ramsay SunSport were first to reveal Kuhn had emerged as a £15million target for RB Leipzig after he scored twice against his old club in November. He spent three years there as a youngster and could be on his way back to Germany in a big-money move. Reports out of Germany suggest talks between Celtic and RB Leipzig have been progressing over the last few days and it's the Bundesliga club who are leading the race. According to Kicker, via Bullinews, discussions between both clubs are now at an "advanced stage". Celtic paid around £3m to sign the wide-man from Rapid Vienna in January 2024 and are now in line to make a healthy profit on the 25-year-old. He still has four years left on his current deal so the Scottish champions are in no rush to sell. SunSport understands, however, that Kuhn would be interested in making a stunning return back to Leipzig. It would certainly boost his chances of earning his first senior call up for Germany after Julian Nagelsmann revealed last year that he was already on his radar. A number of other Bundesliga clubs are also monitoring the player. Kuhn also has interest down south as well as Newcastle United scouted him several times last season. Nicolas Kuhn talks to media for first time since signing for Celtic before posing for pictures with Hoops scarf They had talent spotters in the Celtic Park stands when he scored his brace against RB Leipzig a few months ago. It's believed the Premier League club are still tracking him and are weighing up a potential swoop. But they will need to act fast if they want to land him as Leipzig are wasting no time in their pursuit for the pacy wide-man. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal star set for talks over transfer exit after huge Saudi agreement
Arsenal could see Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has slipped down the pecking order, depart with AC Milan on the prowl as the Italian club prepare to see Theo Hernandez leave for Saudi Arabia AC Milan have made contact with Arsenal as they consider signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has spent the last three years at the Emirates but will soon enter the final 12 months of his deal. Zinchenko knew Mikel Arteta from their Manchester City days and eventually followed him to the Emirates, but his minutes have massively decreased and he now faces an uncertain future in north London. The Italian giants are now ready to pounce with a £17million offer thought to be enough. The issue for Milan will be the Ukrainian's wages with his hefty salary a sticking point. Zinchenko would likely have to take a pay cut if he wanted to secure a move to the San Siro, where he would be far higher in the pecking order. The Serie A side just endured a disappointing campaign and missed out on the Champions League which has impacted on their summer plans. They are poised for a cash injection though with Theo Hernandez set to leave for Saudi club Al-Hilal. The Frenchman is due to land a bumper deal in the Middle East whilst Milan will be compensated for his exit, but it leaves them with a hole to fill in their squad. They are also keeping tabs on Club Brugge's Maxim De Cuyper. Zinchenko is tipped to leave Arsenal this summer after starting only five Premier League games last season. The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly has eaten into his minutes whilst Jurrien Timber has arrived since he joined and he was unsure on his next move when he last spoke. Back in March he was asked about his future and said: 'I don't know yet to be honest. If I would know, I could tell [you]. It's still a long way to go until the end of the season. I think we are at the stage and the most interesting period of the season, where every single game is a final and you never know what is going to happen in football.' Arsenal have already seen a number of squad players leave upon the expiry of their contract this summer. Kieran Tierney and Jorginho had both been on the club's books but have been allowed to seek pastures new. Arteta could see more big names leave with Thomas Partey yet to agree a new deal. The Ghanaian remains a regular but could leave this summer if terms aren't agreed. He's been linked with moves to Barcelona, Juventus and Saudi Arabia and could depart for nothing.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Celtic icon John Clark dies aged 84 as tributes pour in for European Cup winner
Celtic have announced the death of club legend John Clark aged 84. Clark's career with Celtic saw him play more than 300 games and win 15 major trophies the club, including six Scottish titles. The defender was an integral part of the Celtic team which became known as the 'Lisbon Lions'. In 1967, Jock Stein, they became the first British club to win the Europe Cup, now called the Champions League, beating Italian giants Inter Milan 2-1. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers paid tribute by saying: "Greatness is a word people throw around, but for John Clark it is a very fitting tribute. John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic's proud history. "John's continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players, managers and staff, including myself very much. "To have him with us, as part of the club for so long has been a tremendous privilege for us all, it meant so much to us. Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club. I know John was loved so dearly by his family, by everyone at the club and our supporters. We will all miss him so much." Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell added: "John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family. A very dear friend and colleague, John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team-mates with such grace and humility. "That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants. "John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable. John was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather. Such a warm, gentle, and unassuming man. "It was an absolute privilege to have known John. Rightly he will forever be regarded as one of Celtic's greatest ever servants. He will be someone we will all miss so dearly and we send all our love, our thoughts and prayers to John's family." Chief executive Michael Nicholson also commented: "I would like to offer all our sincere and heartfelt condolences to John's family on such a sad day. In losing John, we have all lost a dear friend, such a fine man and someone who gave Celtic everything over such a long time. "In a sense John was Celtic, on and off the pitch across so many years, contributing so much to our success at all times. While John was one of our greatest, he never saw himself as that, his own humility never allowing him to do so. "The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. We will ensure that we give John's family every support at such a difficult time." and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. check back regularly for updates on this developing story. on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.