Kovacic ‘glad to leave Inter’

Mateo Kovacic admits he was “happy to leave Inter” and felt Roberto Mancini “didn’t want me in the squad.”

He was sold to Real Madrid this summer and spoke to Croatian media Sportske Novosti.

“It was an honour to play for Inter, but without a doubt Real Madrid are of a higher level. In Italy the training sessions are really boring and sometimes you don’t even use the ball.

Mateo Kovacic admits he was “happy to leave Inter” and felt Roberto Mancini “didn’t want me in the squad.”

He was sold to Real Madrid this summer and spoke to Croatian media Sportske Novosti.

“It was an honour to play for Inter, but without a doubt Real Madrid are of a higher level. In Italy the training sessions are really boring and sometimes you don’t even use the ball.

“I had no rapport with Mancini, neither positive nor negative. I am not sure that he wanted me in the squad. I don’t know what he thought when I left.

“In any case, I was happy to leave Inter, because I don’t know how it would’ve ended up there.

“When I left, Mancini told me he was disappointed, but to be honest while I was actually in the squad I never got that sensation.

“I went to Real Madrid from Inter, where we weren’t playing for any trophies, and joined a club battling to win everything with a super mentality. They target every piece of silverware and don’t ever get tired.

“I also believe it was a mistake to modify my natural tactical position.”