Former Inter and Brazilian national team defender Lucio has admitted that he made a mistake by leaving Inter to join Juventus.

The former central defender controversially swapped Inter for their arch rivals Juventus in 2012 after agreeing to mutually terminate his Inter contract.

“I didn’t want to leave Inter, but the club wanted to change everything. In the summer of 2012 when I arrived in Brazil, Marco Branca started calling me every 15 minutes to tell me that I had to find another team,” he explained in an interview with Italian news outlet Il Posticipo.

“An offer from Juventus arrived and first time round I said no to it. Five days before the transfer window closed, Conte called me and said they wanted me because Bonucci was at risk of a two year suspension due to betting.

“My former agent advised me to go to Juventus because Inter wanted rid of me. I had no other options and with my family living in Italy, I decided to accept it.

“In two to three weeks in Turin though, I realised that it was a wrong decision. Going to Juventus was a mistake.”

Lucio then shared his hope of emulating former Inter manager Jose Mourinho as a manager.

“I learned many things at Inter with Mourinho, for example how to manage a dressing room. He did a great job. He was the architect of the successes of 2010 and of the Inter that won everything. I dream of becoming a great coach like José.”

He then discussed some of the players who he was at Inter with and admitted that the success they all achieved will be celebrated for years and years to come.

“At Inter I played with many friends like Zanetti, who was an example for all players. I also played with people like Sneijder, Eto’o, Julio Cesar and Maicon who are also friends.

“Winning the Champions League was a gift from God. No Italian team had done it before us. We will continue to celebrate even when 15 and 20 years have passed.”

Lucio also shared his thoughts and feelings on former Juventus icon Antonio Conte now being in charge at Inter.

“I consider him a good coach, he’s doing a good job even though when I watch the games and see him I think he doesn’t have the face and the DNA of Inter.”

Lucio joined Inter in the Summer of 2009 from Bayern Munich and in his three years with the club, he made 136 appearances across all competitions to date. He scored a total of five goals, tallied nine assists and won six trophies.