Mihajlovic: Inter Will Go On Without Ibrahimovic
Inter assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has suggested, less than 48 hours before the Milan derby clash, that Zlatan Ibrahimovic can leave the club.
Zlatan? Not Irreplaceable
That Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Roberto Mancini have not seen eye to eye on more than a couple of occasions of late is nothing new, and there have been reports that one of the two will definitely leave in the summer.
Such rumours, however, have been brushed under the carpet, as far as an official stance is concerned, as the club chase the Scudetto.
Yet, in a rather sensational interview on Friday evening, Mihajlovic made it clear that life at Inter would continue if Ibrahimovic were to leave.
The former defender insisted that the Swede was replaceable, and even went on to suggest that perhaps it was time for him to move elsewhere.
“Ibra is one of the best around, but I can imagine an Inter side without Ibra,” he said, much to the surprise of the media.
“If he is not there, then someone else will be," he continued. "It would be a shame, as we have a good rapport, but sometimes the moment comes when you take separate paths.”
The former Ajax and Juventus striker is being courted by Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Mancio The Best
Mihajlovic, who was tipped to become interim coach had Mancini quit back in March, insisted that his fate would be the same as that of his boss. He also lavished some rather fullsome praise.
“I would not have taken over, as if Mancini is not here then neither am I," he declared.
"In my career I have worked with Sven Goran Eriksson, Dino Zoff, Vujadin Boskov, Carlo Mazzone and Alberto Zaccheroni, but I think out of all of them Mancini is the best tactician.
“Mind you, as when he was a player, you never know what to expect from Mancio. That resignation after the Liverpool game was a complete shock. He’d been in the locker room and hadn’t said anything about it, so we were all rather stunned.
“When we asked what happened, he said that in that moment it was how he viewed the situation. At the end he backed out though and I am convinced he will remain at Inter.”
I Rejected Plenty Of Offers
Mihajlovic also revealed that he turned down some meaty offers from his homeland to remain with the Nerazzurri.
“A couple of months ago I received three propositions: Coach of Red Star Belgrade, Coach of the Serb national team or President of the Federation," he said.
"I rejected all three. I know that when I want to I can return to Serbia and choose what I want to do."
More than that, it will be his comments about Ibra that are likely to make the headlines in the build-up to the Milan Derby.
Frank Barrone
Source: Goal.com
Inter assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has suggested, less than 48 hours before the Milan derby clash, that Zlatan Ibrahimovic can leave the club.
Zlatan? Not Irreplaceable
That Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Roberto Mancini have not seen eye to eye on more than a couple of occasions of late is nothing new, and there have been reports that one of the two will definitely leave in the summer.
Such rumours, however, have been brushed under the carpet, as far as an official stance is concerned, as the club chase the Scudetto.
Yet, in a rather sensational interview on Friday evening, Mihajlovic made it clear that life at Inter would continue if Ibrahimovic were to leave.
The former defender insisted that the Swede was replaceable, and even went on to suggest that perhaps it was time for him to move elsewhere.
“Ibra is one of the best around, but I can imagine an Inter side without Ibra,” he said, much to the surprise of the media.
“If he is not there, then someone else will be," he continued. "It would be a shame, as we have a good rapport, but sometimes the moment comes when you take separate paths.”
The former Ajax and Juventus striker is being courted by Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Mancio The Best
Mihajlovic, who was tipped to become interim coach had Mancini quit back in March, insisted that his fate would be the same as that of his boss. He also lavished some rather fullsome praise.
“I would not have taken over, as if Mancini is not here then neither am I," he declared.
"In my career I have worked with Sven Goran Eriksson, Dino Zoff, Vujadin Boskov, Carlo Mazzone and Alberto Zaccheroni, but I think out of all of them Mancini is the best tactician.
“Mind you, as when he was a player, you never know what to expect from Mancio. That resignation after the Liverpool game was a complete shock. He’d been in the locker room and hadn’t said anything about it, so we were all rather stunned.
“When we asked what happened, he said that in that moment it was how he viewed the situation. At the end he backed out though and I am convinced he will remain at Inter.”
I Rejected Plenty Of Offers
Mihajlovic also revealed that he turned down some meaty offers from his homeland to remain with the Nerazzurri.
“A couple of months ago I received three propositions: Coach of Red Star Belgrade, Coach of the Serb national team or President of the Federation," he said.
"I rejected all three. I know that when I want to I can return to Serbia and choose what I want to do."
More than that, it will be his comments about Ibra that are likely to make the headlines in the build-up to the Milan Derby.
Frank Barrone
Source: Goal.com
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...and long may it continue!
