Roberto Mancini admits he “never thought I’d come back to Inter, but I believe in this project and it all happened so quickly.”
The Coach returned to San Siro, having already won three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia editions and two Italian Super Cups from 2004 to 2008.
Roberto Mancini admits he “never thought I’d come back to Inter, but I believe in this project and it all happened so quickly.”
The Coach returned to San Siro, having already won three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia editions and two Italian Super Cups from 2004 to 2008.
He was brought in for Walter Mazzarri and held his presentation Press conference in a packed hall this afternoon, holding up an Inter shirt that read ‘Mancini: 2+2+6.’ That represented the number of matches he has had on the Inter bench: 226.
“I was very pleased to receive the affection of the fans. I never thought I’d come back to Inter, but it all happened so quickly. These things can happen in football,” he smiled.
“I don’t know all the players well yet, so it’s difficult to compare with the team I left. Usually when a Coach is changed, it means things aren’t going well and it is not always just the fault of the Coach. I consider Mazzarri to be a good Coach.
“We need to do something, I hope we can repeat what we achieved 10 years ago. It’s tough to say if there are analogies, but this team looks like it has quality – as we did a decade ago – and we just need a bit of luck, to work together and ensure things don’t get worse.
“I am happy with the enthusiasm, as that is the basis of any victory. It’s down to us now to restore enthusiasm and bring the fans back to the stadium so we can get back to winning ways.
“I honestly never thought I’d return here, as when you’ve done good work then there’s everything to lose by coming back. I was called, the project was explained to me and I think it can be another great story.
“I believe in this project, otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted. Clearly I do not have a magic wand, so we have to get back to winning via work. Inter are a huge club and I am very happy to have accepted.”
Massimo Moratti hired Mancini in 2004, but also fired him in 2008 to bring in Jose Mourinho, who went on to win a Treble in 2010.
“Moratti and his father made the history of Inter and that is impossible to cancel. If he took this decision to step back, it should be respected. We spoke on the phone, he is still involved in Inter and I think that’s important. I am happy that he is happy.
“I can only thank him for bringing me to Inter 10 years ago. The club situation has changed, but Moratti remains an important figure.
“It’s not easy to win three tournaments in one season. We started work and build a solid foundation, so after that it becomes easier. I realise there were great moments for the fans and we must get back to winning, that is fundamental.”
Mancini is set to scrap Mazzarri’s 3-5-2 system, most likely for a 4-2-3-1, but he’s keeping his cards close to his chest.
“I still have to start training and discuss things with the players before deciding on tactics. I do have some ideas.
“I think enthusiasm is the foundation of our work, as without that a squad will not go far. Mateo Kovacic is a young player with excellent quality, who must also understand he cannot always play at 100 per cent, but in future can become a champion.”