Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has recalled when he was asked by Jose Mourinho to join arch rivals Internazionale.
The Portuguese tactician phoned Nedved after the former Czech Republic international left Juve in the summer of 2009.
"I was very surprised when I heard his voice," Nedved told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday.
"At first he complimented me and then said that he needed me in order to win the Champions League.
"But I instantly refused. My heart would never have allowed me to play for Inter."
Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has recalled when he was asked by Jose Mourinho to join arch rivals Internazionale.
The Portuguese tactician phoned Nedved after the former Czech Republic international left Juve in the summer of 2009.
"I was very surprised when I heard his voice," Nedved told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday.
"At first he complimented me and then said that he needed me in order to win the Champions League.
"But I instantly refused. My heart would never have allowed me to play for Inter."
The former Lazio player hung up his boots in May 2009 after eights years in Turin with the Old Lady.
"In 2006 I pledged to take Juventus back to the top," he continued when asked when and why he decided to quit.
"After the promotion back to Serie A and the third place finish, my head couldn't cope with the training retreats.
"In 2009 we finished second and to go one step higher, a very high step, I couldn't be of any more use at the age of 37.
"Juventus needed something else and their project didn't include me.
"My agent tried to convince me to play on and there were offers from abroad and in Italy, but I couldn't see myself in another shirt."
Nedved though is now back in Turin as a director after the appointment of Andrea Agnelli, a close friend, as President.
"My job is to stay close to the team, to talk to Gigi Del Neri, Beppe Marotta, Fabio Paratici, Gianluca Pessotto, to help who needs help.
"Will I talk to Gigi Buffon? We've already seen each other and we'll meet up again soon. I can understand his suffering.
"When you are out injured with a serious injury then it hurts. Perhaps by not going to Vinovo [the club's training base] he is suffering less.
"Milos Krasic? We have a few things in common – the way we run and how we see the goal. He's a great crosser of the ball, now he just needs to shoot from distance.
"Alex Del Piero? He's always on the front row. An example. I expect him to play on. He has the right mind-set to carry on doing great things."