Sylvinho, Roberto Mancini’s assistant manager during Mancini’s second spell in charge of Inter, discussed his time with the Nerazzurri and his current relationship with Mancini in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia yesterday afternoon.
First, he discussed the differences between himself and Mancini.
“We have different characters, both good. He’s really aggressive, he knows how to talk to the players, he’s a winner. But sometimes he needs to be calm.
“I’m more in this style, I do more mediation. It’s very easy to work with him, he’s a winner. He knows how to form a team, he knows how to take strong, important players.”
The Brazilian commented on whether he expected to be working with Mancini at Inter.
“I met him in Manchester City. The relationship there was born in five months, but very open. He saw me as someone who was very passionate about football.
“Then he made me the first offer there, but I didn’t have the right head, after 15 years as a footballer I wanted to return to Brazil. Then after 3 years he came back to Inter and called me, surprise no, but he made me very happy. I made a right and beautiful choice.”
He revealed that his time at the Nerazzurri made him realise that he wanted to be a coach.
“I started an important journey. I started 3 years in Brazil, then I made the right choice to go to Inter. Mancini is one of those coaches who transmits so much to you, he’s very strong, he has great experience. There’s no price to pay, you learn a lot every day.”
Sylvinho discussed which Italian club would be the most suitable for him in terms of their philosophy.
“Italian football has changed over the years, it’s tactical football and not an easy league with very strong coaches. But football changes very quickly, we’ve started to play more.
“You can see it for example with the national team, they have a beautiful philosophy, they defend well but they also have a lot of the ball. We coaches have to learn. In the last 5 years they’ve played a lot, I could coach a team in Italy.”
He touched on Mancini’s Italy squad and what he thinks of his former colleague’s work.
“Italy have great players, Mancini has courage, the players identify with him. He knows they have to play, and the players have to be happy. If a player is 17 years old, he’s great, he makes them play.”
Sylvinho spoke about former Inter captain Mauro Icardi and the decision to give the Argentine striker the role of captain.
“It was a moment like many others in football, Inter are a great team, the squad was in 7-8th place. Mancini took over and reinforced them with Miranda and others. Then we came fourth.
“That was the choice, Icardi is a young player with personality. Mancini saw in him someone who could go ahead with the project. He did well in my opinion, Mauro scores, he can play anywhere and he’s very strong in the area. He’s a really strong player.”
The Brazilian touched on his relationship with the 27-year-old.
“Normal, I had the advantage of speaking Spanish with him and others. Icardi is very calm, simple, a good person. He was always present at practice, there was no problem. In 2014 for 3-4 games in a row Mancini left him on the bench, but the relationship was very good.”
He discussed whether it was the right choice of Icardi to join PSG.
“It depends on the player, they have a great team, I don’t know how he is. It’s very personal, if he’s chosen that way, he can be happy. It’s nice to see happy players play, if it’s good for him, it’s good for everyone.”
The Brazilian spoke about if Lautaro Martinez would stay at Inter or be sold to Barcelona.
“He’s a very strong player and he’s doing very well, he scores but he’s complete. I don’t think he’s huge, but he’s a fighter and he annoys teams. Technically he’s very good, he can go all over the world, even to Barcelona and do very well. He’s young and he can grow, he’s a great footballer.”
Finally, Sylvinho suggested a Brazilian player that Italian teams should look into.
“I really like Matheus Henrique from Gremio. He’s a midfielder, he moves with the ball and controls the whole game.”
