Aurelio De Laurentiis says his comments on Walter Mazzarri yesterday were not an attack on the former Napoli Coach.
Aurelio De Laurentiis says his comments on Walter Mazzarri yesterday were not an attack on the former Napoli Coach.
De Laurentiis today presented new signing Michu, but before introducing the Spaniard, wanted to clarify comments made yesterday on the Vesuviani’s former boss.
The President commented that current Inter Coach Mazzarri struggled to communicate with players like Edu Vargas during his time at the San Paolo.
“I understand that one person can write the article and the newspaper will change the headlines. Just to sell more copies,” De Laurentiis began today.
“When I speak of Mazzarri, let me remind you that I alone sought him out. I found him by myself because there was no [sporting director Pierpaolo] Marino, when it was time to replace [Roberto] Donadoni.
“When he asked me to leave after two years, I wanted him for Napoli, so my professional account is total.
“I point out that at that time, maybe now it is not the case, but he played with a formation that did not allow for a regista. I insisted on Marco Verratti, but he said that he was not a part of his formation.
“Nobody is perfect and the problem of language that he had did not allow him to communicate and have a relationship of understanding and assimilation to certain elements, such as Edu Vargas.
“I did not attack Mazzarri, I have not criticised or tried to criticise anyone, Mazzarri is a great professional. I hope for greater co-operation on your part [to the reporters] from now on.”
De Laurentiis also took questions later in the conference on other matters, including hopes of a title push.
“Yes, we will fight without ifs and buts, beyond how it turns out. It is always the case, we are not looking at others, whilst we are with Benitez for a second year, and I hope for it to be a good year.
“Pressure on the Coach? I do not have to exert any kind of pressure on anyone. He has proven what he can do wherever he has gone.
“How many players are missing to get to the title? A title is never dependent on how many players there are, but by a series of conditions that are created, and injuries that cannot be foreseen.
“We changed half the team, with the unknown after Cavani and I think that the results have been excellent.
“Wihtout the injuries last year I think we would have had nine more points in the standings. We changed the technical staff, half the team, the formation – I’m not saying it like we would have won the League, but almost, which is why I was particularly pleased.
“Unquestionably we have a Coach today who understands the team, that in January brought in players who were useful and has yet another transfer window to work in, so the conditions are there to do well.”