Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini reveals he nearly signed Yaya Touré at Inter and explains why he moved to England.
He is fresh from winning the Premier League title after a 44-year wait for the club and spoke to Italian television station Antenna Tre.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini reveals he nearly signed Yaya Touré at Inter and explains why he moved to England.
He is fresh from winning the Premier League title after a 44-year wait for the club and spoke to Italian television station Antenna Tre.
“I didn’t go abroad due to an economic issue, at least that wasn’t the case for me, I don’t know about others. After having played and coached in Italy, going abroad means a new experience.
“That is the primary motivation. Then if someone is fortunate and ends up at one of the more important clubs, then that is good, but it’s not the main reason.”
Mancini was sacked by Inter and asked if he would return to Italy on any other bench.
“A Coach must be prepared to train any club if he is called. I was happy at Inter, it was an extraordinary experience, but it is part of my past. In my profession, I have to be ready to work anywhere.
“I worked for four years at Inter with director Lele Oriali. He is an extraordinary person and an important man for the club. It’s a shame that he is out of work at the moment.
“I can also reveal that while we are at Inter, Oriali and I viewed Yaya Touré at Monaco. In that game he played as a support striker and put in an incredible performance. It was seven or eight years ago and we wanted to sign him, but it didn’t work out that
way.”
Mancini had the opportunity to work with Touré this season at Manchester City, where the player was decisive.