Roberto Mancini has admitted that it was a “daft” decision to return to Inter Milan for a second stint and says he was jealous of Jose Mourinho winning the Treble with the San Siro side.
Mancini was sacked in 2008, despite winning three consecutive league titles and replaced by Mourinho.
The Portuguese went on to clinch the Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League in the 2009/2010 campaign.
“I didn’t expect to be fired,” Mancini told Gazzetta TV.
“I read the article in the morning and some doubts emerged in my mind. [Massimo] Moratti called and told me he’d made this decision.
“Did he mention Mourinho? No. I must thank Moratti anyway, because he gave me the opportunity to be the coach of Inter in an important moment of my career.”
When asked about Mourinho, Mancini replied: “I think he’s a good coach. Am I jealous about the treble? That’s a natural emotion, but I believe things happen because they were meant to happen.”
Mancini won Manchester City’s first Premier League title in 44 years in 2012, but was sacked the next term after coming second. He spent a year at Galatasaray, before returning to Inter.
“I was waiting for a call from abroad more than a return to Italy,” Mancini said.
“Above all, I never would’ve thought of a return to Inter. People do a lot of daft things in life and I did this, because it seemed unthinkable to go back where you have already won so much.
“It’s true, I thought we’d have a better final result that season, but I still believe this is my only side to have improved so much in five months.
“It didn’t happen so quickly at Galatasaray, Manchester City or even my first Inter”.
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