Former Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti discussed a variety of topics in a new interview, including the biggest regrets of his time at the club’s helm.
The 79-year-old served as Nerazzurri president before selling the Italian club to Erik Thohir in 2013.
His legendary stint included the club’s unforgettable treble-winning campaign in 2009/10, but it also had its lows.
Moratti thus revealed his biggest regrets during his time in charge, which includes selling Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Carlos.
“I’ve made a lot of errors. But recalling them bothers me,” admitted the Italian in his interview with Oggi via FcInter1908.
“Well, I would begin with the sales of Pirlo, Roberto Carlos… But there was always a reason why I made certain choices.
“And if I look at the whole process, in the end, we succeeded. Even though I wasn’t able to win for many years for the reasons that we know.”
“Yes, I’m talking about Calciopoli. There was a system that controlled everything. A serious and ugly thing.
“That was BS, because football is based on the fans’ emotions which must be respected.
Former Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti Felt Rafael Benitez Was Jealous Of Jose Mourinho
Moratti also discussed the managerial stints of Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho
“Inter were doing very well with Mancini. But after the elimination against Liverpool, with a league title still to be won, he publicly said that he was leaving.
“After three days he changed his mind and wanted to stay. But I couldn’t trust him anymore. And I contacted Mourinho. But I remain very fond of Mancini.”
“I chose Jose because he reminded me of Herrera. When he was at Porto, before the Champions League semi-final they interviewed him, asking him how he would face his opponent. He replied: ‘I’m not talking about the semi-final, I’m thinking about the final’.
“In the end, he wanted to try a new experience, and I always understand those who want to change.
“But after a few months, he phoned me saying: ‘President, I’m doing well in Madrid, but Inter was something else.'”
Moratti explained why he decided to wield the axe on the tenures of Rafael Benitez and Gian Piero Gasperini.
“Benitez arrived after Mourinho, of whom he was very jealous, perhaps very envious. He made us remove all the photos of him from Pinetina.
“He said to the team: you’re old, Mourinho squeezed you, now it’s my turn to put things right. Not realizing, among other things, that he was thus giving the players an alibi.
“Nothing worked under Gasperini. The team couldn’t follow his directions. I was sorry to sack him, but he hadn’t won a single match, including the pre-season.”
Finally, the former president heaped praise on current directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio.
“Marotta and Ausilio are great. And I also respect Zhang, who has been through a lot and brought Inter back to winning ways.”
