Inter President Massimo Moratti admits he was stunned when Roberto Mancini announced his departure. “I honestly can’t explain it.”
The Coach surprised everyone when he went through all the television and newspaper interviews before announcing at the end of his Press Conference that he would be leaving the club at the end of this season.
“It was surprising,” confessed Moratti. “Clearly I did not expect it and I don’t think anybody else did, either, not even those close to him.
“How can I explain it? There must be some justification and I think it was something he had inside him all the way from the game in Liverpool.”
The 2-0 first leg defeat at Anfield made it very difficult for Inter to progress in the Champions League and last night’s 1-0 home loss proved the final straw.
“It seems strange to me that such a thing would suddenly pop into his head, but at the moment I honestly can’t explain it,” added Moratti.
There are reports that Mancio opted for this move rather than wait to be dismissed even after what is set to be a third consecutive Scudetto.
It has been suggested that former Nerazzurri goalkeeper Walter Zenga is prepared to act as caretaker Coach for the remaining 11 Serie A games and the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
“We have to talk,” continued the President. “Last night we had a very brief exchange and now we must discuss what everyone really wants here.
“I think there will be a meeting tomorrow, but it was right that today each took time to detox. We’ll see, but one always hopes to quell problems.”
Mancini’s position has been put in doubt by the media after reports that Moratti had offered the job to Jose Mourinho in case of Champions League failure.
“We will meet and then make decisions together,” said the oil baron. “If he confirms he wants to leave at the end of the season, then we’ll see. Alternatives? No, it would be unfair to talk about that now.
“I already told Mancini last night that I did not and do not want to consider a change. There is a contract and faith in him, but we have to see if he has faith in himself to stay.”
At the end of it all Moratti confessed he was disappointed in the tactician’s behaviour and especially the timing of the announcement, as it can risk destabilising the squad when the Serie A lead has been reduced to just six points.
“The team, the club, the fans and even himself do not deserve something like this. We’ll have to grit our teeth and do well.”
There is one other curious twist to the tale. Mancini said in the Press Conference that these would "probably be my last two and a half months" on the Inter bench.
However, on the official club website, the term "probably" has been excised from the quote.
