Former Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo believes that Roma coach Jose Mourinho will be welcomed by Nerazzurri fans on his return to the San Siro.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the 50-year-old opened up on why the Portuguese coach has a special connection with Inter fans despite having left the club more than ten years ago.
Mourinho spent just two seasons in charge of the Nerazzurri, but he made a significant impact by winning the Scudetto in his first season in charge before winning the European treble the second time around.
Apart from this success, the current Giallorossi coach also seemed to enjoy a very affectionate relationship with the fans and players at the club.
Now, for the first time after leaving Inter at the end of the 2009-10 season to join Real Madrid, Mourinho comes back to the San Siro for the first time as an opposing coach, with his current club visiting for a Coppa Italia clash tomorrow.
Toldo believes that Mourinho has a special relationship with Inter “Because of the incredible bond that was created with [former Inter President Massimo] Moratti.”
“Because of the sense of understanding that he had within the entire environment,” he went on. “I was at Inter for many years and, believe me, it was only under him that everyone working at the entire him was united in one direction.”
He predicted that today’s match “Promises to be a beautiful match. Mou is obsessed with the idea of winning trophies, and on paper the Copa is his easiest route to one.”
“Tomorrow he will be excited,” the former keeper said of Mourinho’s return to the San Siro, “but he’ll also be focused on his objective.”
On how he expects the Nerazzurri to react to Saturday’s derby loss to AC Milan, Toldo stated that “They’ll show it on the pitch.”
“But Inzaghi, the team, don’t need to worry too much,” he added. “Even though they lost on Saturday, they always create a lot of chances. You can see that there’s always a lot of horsepower in that engine.”
