by Gareth Freeman - Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has always had a bit of a reputation as an outspoken type of fellow but that looked like it had all changed when he imposed a ‘media blackout’ last weekend.
The former Porto and Chelsea boss decided to snub the press after he was sent to the stands during Inter’s win over Cagliari last weekend.
However, due to the club’s contractual obligations with the media Inter have told Mourinho he has to speak to the press so the Portuguese tactician has no other option – and he isn’t happy about it.
Speaking to Sky Italia Mourinho said: “I’m not continuing the silence because the club asked me because of contracts with you,
“If it were up to me the silence would continue.”
The Nerazzurri slipped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Sampdoria at the weekend and Mourinho was in no mood to discuss his tactics with the the press. When asked why he decided to substitute Mario Balotelli he replied: “I’m the coach, and don’t have to explain my decisions to you.”
It is not the first, or probably last, time the special one will fall out with the Italian press. At the start of the season he told reporters ‘if something happens to me it is your fault’ when Islamic extremists issued death threats against him for his reported decision not to play Sulley Muntari who was fasting during Ramadan.
His decision not to talk to the press was a disappointing one, after all his quotes are at times priceless. On the state of the Stamford Bridge pitch in his time at Chelsea he once said:
“Sometimes you see beautiful people with no brains. Sometimes you have ugly people who are intelligent, like scientists.”
What does that even mean? I’ve got no idea but it is brilliant anyway and one of the reasons why, love him or hate him, no one can deny Mourinho is not entertaining.
It would seem for now that Mourinho has no choice but to speak to the media if Inter have forced him. The question is will he opt to move on because of it? The press in Italy are known for grilling the manager on tactics and team selections and it seems this is what Mourinho has a problem with, if he can’t learn to deal with it he may chose to leave.
Written by Gareth Freeman for Seria Talk (http://www.serieatalk.com/)
Showing posts with label inter fc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inter fc. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, July 11, 2008
Lampard Set on Inter And at Odds With Scolari
The new Chelsea boss had said he was free to go, save any last minute changes of plan. A disappointed Frank accused him of being a "liar", adding, "I can't work with a coach who lies to me from Day 1." But Chelsea chief Keynon says, "Lampard's staying".
MILAN, 10 July 2008 - Frank Lampard is never one to shirk his responsibilities, both on pitch and off. He takes penalties like a true blue and will write off a new manager, even on the first day if need be. His relationship with Felipe Scolari was an non-starter from Day 1: Lampard, the top scoring midfielder, feels betrayed and wants to call it a day at Chelsea. Inter is now the only option he will consider. Inter and Mourinho, that is, and the feeling's mutual. Conflicting versions of the saga are doing the rounds, with Lampard's version poles apart from Scolari's. This means Roman Abramovich and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon stand even less of a chance of persuading Lampard to stay in London.
PRESS CONFERENCE - At Tuesday's conference in London, everything seemed hunky dory. Scolari announced, "I spoke to Lampard on Monday to tell him how much I admire him as a man and a player. I told him I want him here at Chelsea and he said that he would like to stay for many years. We just have a few small details to sort out." Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, on the other hand, was a little less less hearts and flowers in his statement: "Chelsea has put Frank in a very awkward position. He told Scolari he would like to end his career at Chelsea, but with the contract they've offered him, that would be impossible." Something is obviously amiss, and in all probability their talk didn't go quite like Big Phil's version of events.
BEHIND THE SCENES - What really happened? Lampard and Scolari talked a week ago before the new manager was signed on at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder asked to be released to go to Inter, bringing, in his mind, an end to his time at Chelsea. Scolari's reply went something like this: "Frank, I need you here, I want you to stay but I can't keep you here. If we sign Deco then you'll be free to go." With Deco then onboard to play for Chelsea, Lampard felt he was out of the woods. He speaks regularly with José Mourinho who is waiting to make him part of Inter's new midfield line-up. Scolari on the other hand, had a sudden change of tack.
U-TURN - Things started to go seriously wrong on Monday, 24 hours before the press conference. Scolari put Lampard in the picture: "you're staying at Chelsea". Incensed, the Blues captain hurled accusations at the Portuguese manager, calling him a "liar" and claiming, "There's no way I can stay at Chelsea. I can't work with a coach who lies to me from day 1. It's over." Worse was still to come when Lampard listened in disbelief to what Scolari had to say at Cobham. What now?
INTER STEP FORWARD - Lampard is now much closer to Inter, so much so that yesterday, Beppe Baresi, Mourinho's number 2, claimed, "Despite Chelsea's initial rejection of our first bid, I think negotiations are still on." It's highly unlikely Chelsea would be able to play with someone who had argued with the manager, who doesn't want to stay, and who would be up for free transfer within a year. At the same time, chances are Kenyon also wants to cash in on Mourinho and Moratti's burning desire for a star who, even at the age of 30, could still take the club to a new dimension.
STAND-OFF - You have to take all this into consideration to interpret the latest from Keynon, posted on the club's website yesterday: "The situation is ongoing. We have always maintained that we want Frank to stay and an offer was made to that effect. That offer is still on the table. Frank is under contract and he still has one year to run on that. We'd like to hope that we can reach an agreement but if we can't, we intend to keep him to see out the terms of his contract. If we receive a new bid, we will reject it".
Text Source: By Fabio Licari and Luca Taidelli, Gazzetta.it(http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/07_Luglio/10/Lampard.shtml)
Text Source: Gazzetta.it
MILAN, 10 July 2008 - Frank Lampard is never one to shirk his responsibilities, both on pitch and off. He takes penalties like a true blue and will write off a new manager, even on the first day if need be. His relationship with Felipe Scolari was an non-starter from Day 1: Lampard, the top scoring midfielder, feels betrayed and wants to call it a day at Chelsea. Inter is now the only option he will consider. Inter and Mourinho, that is, and the feeling's mutual. Conflicting versions of the saga are doing the rounds, with Lampard's version poles apart from Scolari's. This means Roman Abramovich and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon stand even less of a chance of persuading Lampard to stay in London.
PRESS CONFERENCE - At Tuesday's conference in London, everything seemed hunky dory. Scolari announced, "I spoke to Lampard on Monday to tell him how much I admire him as a man and a player. I told him I want him here at Chelsea and he said that he would like to stay for many years. We just have a few small details to sort out." Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, on the other hand, was a little less less hearts and flowers in his statement: "Chelsea has put Frank in a very awkward position. He told Scolari he would like to end his career at Chelsea, but with the contract they've offered him, that would be impossible." Something is obviously amiss, and in all probability their talk didn't go quite like Big Phil's version of events.
BEHIND THE SCENES - What really happened? Lampard and Scolari talked a week ago before the new manager was signed on at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder asked to be released to go to Inter, bringing, in his mind, an end to his time at Chelsea. Scolari's reply went something like this: "Frank, I need you here, I want you to stay but I can't keep you here. If we sign Deco then you'll be free to go." With Deco then onboard to play for Chelsea, Lampard felt he was out of the woods. He speaks regularly with José Mourinho who is waiting to make him part of Inter's new midfield line-up. Scolari on the other hand, had a sudden change of tack.
U-TURN - Things started to go seriously wrong on Monday, 24 hours before the press conference. Scolari put Lampard in the picture: "you're staying at Chelsea". Incensed, the Blues captain hurled accusations at the Portuguese manager, calling him a "liar" and claiming, "There's no way I can stay at Chelsea. I can't work with a coach who lies to me from day 1. It's over." Worse was still to come when Lampard listened in disbelief to what Scolari had to say at Cobham. What now?
INTER STEP FORWARD - Lampard is now much closer to Inter, so much so that yesterday, Beppe Baresi, Mourinho's number 2, claimed, "Despite Chelsea's initial rejection of our first bid, I think negotiations are still on." It's highly unlikely Chelsea would be able to play with someone who had argued with the manager, who doesn't want to stay, and who would be up for free transfer within a year. At the same time, chances are Kenyon also wants to cash in on Mourinho and Moratti's burning desire for a star who, even at the age of 30, could still take the club to a new dimension.
STAND-OFF - You have to take all this into consideration to interpret the latest from Keynon, posted on the club's website yesterday: "The situation is ongoing. We have always maintained that we want Frank to stay and an offer was made to that effect. That offer is still on the table. Frank is under contract and he still has one year to run on that. We'd like to hope that we can reach an agreement but if we can't, we intend to keep him to see out the terms of his contract. If we receive a new bid, we will reject it".
Text Source: By Fabio Licari and Luca Taidelli, Gazzetta.it(http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/07_Luglio/10/Lampard.shtml)
Text Source: Gazzetta.it
Monday, July 7, 2008
Inter Fax Chelsea Final Efforts For Lampard
Negotiations to take the Blues midfielder to Inter are at a turning point: a trip to London is imminent. And this week the offer for Roma's Mancini will go up to 12 million euros.
MILAN, 7 July 2008 - Yesterday Inter sent a fax to Chelsea requesting a meeting to negotiate the purchase of Frank Lampard. It was to be expected, but this is a decisive step since this is the first official move in the long talks focused on the 30 year old English midfielder. In fact up until yesterday Inter's Branca and Oriali have been seeking agreement with the player's agent, Steve Kutner, while Mourinho has been talking to Lampard himself, after three seasons as his manager in London. Today Branca is expected in the English capital.
TURNAROUND - It's no surprise that Inter made their move over the weekend: Chelsea's pre-season training begins today. Inter want to assist Lampard in what will be a difficult stage for him: explaining to the club that after seven years in which he has both given and received a great deal, he wants to join Mourinho in Milan. It's one thing to turn down the generous contract renewal offer of €8.5 million a season (his current deal expires in 2009), it's another matter to explain to the Blues' directors that today they may have to cash in on a player who otherwise could leave for nothing next year. Inter are ready to pay €10 million to the club, though the bulk of the cost will be the player's wages: a four year deal has already been agreed for €7.5 million (net) per season. Ultimately, the deal is on, despite the last-ditch efforts by Deco. Denying that his arrival will push Lampard towards Milan, the Portuguese player yesterday claimed: "I think I can be compatible with Lampard on the pitch. It will be for Scolari to decide, but I've watched a lot of Chelsea games on TV and together Frank and I can create a lot of danger for other teams." But perhaps for Chelsea themselves too, since they need to fit in Ballack, and a tackling midfielder wouldn't hurt...
MANCINI DEAL CLOSE - This week Inter could pull off a double transfer coup. By Tuesday it is expected that there will be a meeting with Roma for Mancini, whose agent Gilmar Veloz is expected in Italy by the weekend. On Friday, Roma reiterated that they are only interested in a cash deal but lowered their demands from 15 to 13 million euros. Inter offered 10 and could reach 12, so an agreement is not far off. Not least since without this cash, the giallorossi can't operate on the transfer market.
QUARESMA UNLIKELY - The prospect of Ricardo Quaresma seems ever less likely. As if the difference between demand (€30 million plus Pelè) and offer (€20 million) weren't enough, yesterday Porto President Pinto da Costa denied the story, despite the meeting which took place, under pressure from fans, saying that "I haven't received any official offer for Quaresma. Nor has he asked to leave."
TIME TO SELL - Branca and Oriali must also work on outgoing players. Costs must be recouped, but the squad must also be reduced to the 24 players requested by Mourinho. With Lampard, Mancini and Obinna (agreement with Chievo is expected this week) added there would be 28. Burdisso (who Inter have banned from taking part in the Olimpics), Stankovic and one of Crespo or Suazo may leave. But there are rumours that Adriano could go to Chelsea in exchange for Drogba. Another of Mourinho's favourites.
Text Source: By LUCA TAIDELLI, Gazzetta.it(http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/07_Luglio/07/Lampard.shtml)
MILAN, 7 July 2008 - Yesterday Inter sent a fax to Chelsea requesting a meeting to negotiate the purchase of Frank Lampard. It was to be expected, but this is a decisive step since this is the first official move in the long talks focused on the 30 year old English midfielder. In fact up until yesterday Inter's Branca and Oriali have been seeking agreement with the player's agent, Steve Kutner, while Mourinho has been talking to Lampard himself, after three seasons as his manager in London. Today Branca is expected in the English capital.
TURNAROUND - It's no surprise that Inter made their move over the weekend: Chelsea's pre-season training begins today. Inter want to assist Lampard in what will be a difficult stage for him: explaining to the club that after seven years in which he has both given and received a great deal, he wants to join Mourinho in Milan. It's one thing to turn down the generous contract renewal offer of €8.5 million a season (his current deal expires in 2009), it's another matter to explain to the Blues' directors that today they may have to cash in on a player who otherwise could leave for nothing next year. Inter are ready to pay €10 million to the club, though the bulk of the cost will be the player's wages: a four year deal has already been agreed for €7.5 million (net) per season. Ultimately, the deal is on, despite the last-ditch efforts by Deco. Denying that his arrival will push Lampard towards Milan, the Portuguese player yesterday claimed: "I think I can be compatible with Lampard on the pitch. It will be for Scolari to decide, but I've watched a lot of Chelsea games on TV and together Frank and I can create a lot of danger for other teams." But perhaps for Chelsea themselves too, since they need to fit in Ballack, and a tackling midfielder wouldn't hurt...
MANCINI DEAL CLOSE - This week Inter could pull off a double transfer coup. By Tuesday it is expected that there will be a meeting with Roma for Mancini, whose agent Gilmar Veloz is expected in Italy by the weekend. On Friday, Roma reiterated that they are only interested in a cash deal but lowered their demands from 15 to 13 million euros. Inter offered 10 and could reach 12, so an agreement is not far off. Not least since without this cash, the giallorossi can't operate on the transfer market.
QUARESMA UNLIKELY - The prospect of Ricardo Quaresma seems ever less likely. As if the difference between demand (€30 million plus Pelè) and offer (€20 million) weren't enough, yesterday Porto President Pinto da Costa denied the story, despite the meeting which took place, under pressure from fans, saying that "I haven't received any official offer for Quaresma. Nor has he asked to leave."
TIME TO SELL - Branca and Oriali must also work on outgoing players. Costs must be recouped, but the squad must also be reduced to the 24 players requested by Mourinho. With Lampard, Mancini and Obinna (agreement with Chievo is expected this week) added there would be 28. Burdisso (who Inter have banned from taking part in the Olimpics), Stankovic and one of Crespo or Suazo may leave. But there are rumours that Adriano could go to Chelsea in exchange for Drogba. Another of Mourinho's favourites.
Text Source: By LUCA TAIDELLI, Gazzetta.it(http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/07_Luglio/07/Lampard.shtml)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Mourinho Takes charge at Inter, Insisting Chelsea Stars want to Work with Him Again
APPIANO GENTILE, Italy: Jose Mourinho believes his former Chelsea players want to join him at Inter Milan.
"I think it is normal ... that almost all of them want to work with me in the future," Mourinho said Tuesday after being officially unveiled at Inter's training ground north of Milan. "These rumors are normal."
The Serie A champion's new coach would have to renew hostilities with his former boss Roman Abramovich to lure the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard from the London club.
Any moves in the transfer market will depend on "if Chelsea wants to sell," said Mourinho, who agreed a three-year contract Monday to replace Robert Mancini.
Mourinho was keen to downplay his self-styled "Special One" nickname.
Today in Sports
Mosley wins vote of confidence to stay as FIA presidentSafina stands her ground against Sharapova in ParisAt Euro 2008, an injured list already
"I believe I have arrived at a special club, and when the club is special, a coach becomes one of many," Mourinho said. "I never forget that I am a great coach but I don't want to be special."
The 45-year-old Portuguese manager isn't ready to reveal his transfer targets.
"I want to start a cycle with the same team from last year, plus one, or two, maximum three new players," Mourinho said. "The team will be more or less the same as last year, but I think differently than Roberto.
"This is far from being a criticism, because if Roberto were to go to Chelsea, things would change there. It's normal."
Mancini, who was fired last week despite winning a third straight Serie A title, has been linked to a possible move to Chelsea. Mourinho, who won the 2005 Champions League with FC Porto, suddenly parted company with Chelsea last September after failing to deliver European glory — despite winning two league titles for the London club.
"I will always, always, always support Chelsea and wish them all the best with their new coach, but if Chelsea meet Inter in the Champions League, then I won't know any of them," Mourinho said. "Chelsea is over for me — not in my heart, but in my thoughts. At this moment, I want to start a new life and I do not want to talk about Chelsea."
Mourinho said he was joining the Italian league at the right time.
"The Serie A is not the best championship in the world," Mourinho said. "I believe that the Serie A is on a road that can bring it to be the best in the world."
Mourinho said 11 teams in Europe — four English, three Italian, three Spanish and one German — were targeting the Champion's League title.
"I say without fear that Inter is one of the eleven," Mourinho added.
With key members of his new squad at the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, Mourinho will have to wait until July to start working on next season.
"If I have waited seven or eight months, I can wait another month," he said, preferring to look ahead and not back.
"Forget who has won. Who won, won. It's history. We need a new book," he said.
Mourinho said he was looking forward to July 15 when the full squad will be assembled for the first time.
"I am both easy and difficult to work with. It is easy for those who work well and know the team is more important than himself. It is hard for those who are lazy and who aren't team players."
Mourinho, who spoke fluently in Italian, was quick to catch on to a reporter's question about how long he'd been studying the language.
"I am very smart," Mourinho said. "You want to know when Inter started to talk to me for the first time," adding that he has been studying Italian for about a month.
Declining for a second time to name Chelsea players on his wish list, Mourino even switched to the Milanese dialect.
"I am not stupid," Mourinho said.
Source: Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/03/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Inter-Mourinho.php)
"I think it is normal ... that almost all of them want to work with me in the future," Mourinho said Tuesday after being officially unveiled at Inter's training ground north of Milan. "These rumors are normal."
The Serie A champion's new coach would have to renew hostilities with his former boss Roman Abramovich to lure the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard from the London club.
Any moves in the transfer market will depend on "if Chelsea wants to sell," said Mourinho, who agreed a three-year contract Monday to replace Robert Mancini.
Mourinho was keen to downplay his self-styled "Special One" nickname.
Today in Sports
Mosley wins vote of confidence to stay as FIA presidentSafina stands her ground against Sharapova in ParisAt Euro 2008, an injured list already
"I believe I have arrived at a special club, and when the club is special, a coach becomes one of many," Mourinho said. "I never forget that I am a great coach but I don't want to be special."
The 45-year-old Portuguese manager isn't ready to reveal his transfer targets.
"I want to start a cycle with the same team from last year, plus one, or two, maximum three new players," Mourinho said. "The team will be more or less the same as last year, but I think differently than Roberto.
"This is far from being a criticism, because if Roberto were to go to Chelsea, things would change there. It's normal."
Mancini, who was fired last week despite winning a third straight Serie A title, has been linked to a possible move to Chelsea. Mourinho, who won the 2005 Champions League with FC Porto, suddenly parted company with Chelsea last September after failing to deliver European glory — despite winning two league titles for the London club.
"I will always, always, always support Chelsea and wish them all the best with their new coach, but if Chelsea meet Inter in the Champions League, then I won't know any of them," Mourinho said. "Chelsea is over for me — not in my heart, but in my thoughts. At this moment, I want to start a new life and I do not want to talk about Chelsea."
Mourinho said he was joining the Italian league at the right time.
"The Serie A is not the best championship in the world," Mourinho said. "I believe that the Serie A is on a road that can bring it to be the best in the world."
Mourinho said 11 teams in Europe — four English, three Italian, three Spanish and one German — were targeting the Champion's League title.
"I say without fear that Inter is one of the eleven," Mourinho added.
With key members of his new squad at the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, Mourinho will have to wait until July to start working on next season.
"If I have waited seven or eight months, I can wait another month," he said, preferring to look ahead and not back.
"Forget who has won. Who won, won. It's history. We need a new book," he said.
Mourinho said he was looking forward to July 15 when the full squad will be assembled for the first time.
"I am both easy and difficult to work with. It is easy for those who work well and know the team is more important than himself. It is hard for those who are lazy and who aren't team players."
Mourinho, who spoke fluently in Italian, was quick to catch on to a reporter's question about how long he'd been studying the language.
"I am very smart," Mourinho said. "You want to know when Inter started to talk to me for the first time," adding that he has been studying Italian for about a month.
Declining for a second time to name Chelsea players on his wish list, Mourino even switched to the Milanese dialect.
"I am not stupid," Mourinho said.
Source: Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/03/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Inter-Mourinho.php)
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