Roberto Mancini said he “changed the history of Inter” and “built the core” of Manchester City’s success.
The Nerazzurri Coach spoke to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy site during his recent visit to Qatar.
“Manchester City are the best team so far this season and have a good chance to win the title,” said Mancio.
Roberto Mancini said he “changed the history of Inter” and “built the core” of Manchester City’s success.
The Nerazzurri Coach spoke to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy site during his recent visit to Qatar.
“Manchester City are the best team so far this season and have a good chance to win the title,” said Mancio.
“I am proud that the team, whose core I built, is doing well this year. But the Premier League is such a difficult championship in which you need to work really hard to win each and every game.
“City will face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal as it is now clear that Chelsea will find it difficult to finish in the top four.
“I helped to change the dynamics of the Manchester derby and it was very difficult to do that,” he said of their first title since 1968.
“United were a top club for many years and to achieve the status of equality was very tough. We bought a lot of good players who worked very hard and gave the club their first title win in a long time.
“I like to take up difficult challenges and work hard towards achieving my goals. I also changed the history of Inter as manager in 2006-07 and of Sampdoria and Lazio as a player.
“Similarly, Qatar’s challenge of hosting the first World Cup in the region is not an easy one. But Qatar can stage a successful World Cup in 2022 by working hard.”
This week Inter President Erick Thohir discussed the Scudetto as their objective, but Mancini is aiming lower.
“Right now we are top of the standings but it is a long, tough and competitive season. We need to work really hard to stay in the top position. Our target for the season is to clinch a Champions League berth. It is very important to play in the Champions League.
“It is very difficult to turn around the fortunes when you take over in mid-season. But this year things are different. It is much better when you work with the team from pre-season.
“We got some good new signings this season. We are a young team, with only two or three experienced players. We need to improve a lot but I am happy with the players we have got. We are doing a good job so far and working well together.”
Inter will play against Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly in Doha during the Serie A winter break.
“It will be a competitive affair between two top European clubs preparing for the second half of the season. I am happy that my side will be training in Doha’s magnificent facilities.
“I consider Zlatan Ibrahimovic one of the best players in the world. He has scored a lot of goals and some very important ones for us while he was at Inter. He deserves to win the Ballon D’or as he is one of the best strikers in the modern game.”