Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni has played down comparisons with treble-winning tactician Jose Mourinho.
Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni has played down comparisons with treble-winning tactician Jose Mourinho.
The Coach was likened to the Special One by President Massimo Moratti last night after his 10-man Nerazzurri beat Milan 1-0 in the derby.
“I’m very proud of what the President said,” Stramaccioni told Radio Anch'io Lo Sport. “I can only smile at the comparison because I’m a nobody, while Mourinho has won wherever he has been.”
Stramaccioni was confirmed in the job during the summer after he was promoted from the Primavera set-up in March to replace Claudio Ranieri.
“I feel fortunate because I caught the attention of a club like Inter, first with the youth team, then President Moratti was following the Primavera and appointed me.
“That’s why I work every day on the training pitch to try and repay his faith in me. I'm happy at the moment, but I need to keep my feet on the ground because we still have a long way to go.”
Stramaccioni has used a variety of systems at San Siro, the latest being a three-man defence which is proving to be very popular in Serie A.
“I think we've found the best system to cover the pitch by playing three at the back,” he added. “We can mix things up further forward, but I think it’s the defence which gives this team more balance.”
One player to benefit from the Stramaccioni touch is centre-back Andrea Ranocchia, a stopper who is now back in the international set-up.
“It’s not down to me, it’s down to him,” the 36-year-old added with a smile. “I remind him I’m the same Coach who didn't pick him last year and that this season it’s his brother who’s playing for us!"