Mourinho regrets Italian game seen as less popular

November 18, 2008

ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho on Monday said he regretted that the Italian game was perceived elsewhere as being a cagey, less entertaining affair than other European leagues.

"It may not seem so but I feel I am one of yours and I am interested in Italian football as a product," Mourinho told a coaching forum in Florence.

"I must say that abroad it is a product which people do not like (as much) which comes in behind the English Premier League and La Liga in Spain.

"In Portugal, my family has to hang on till midnight to see an Inter game whereas matches such as Getafe against Valladolid are broadcast first," he complained, adding that the Italians ought to strive harder to market themselves, particularly in Asia, where English games are shown widely.

Mourinho, who lifted a host of honours with first Porto and then Chelsea, arrived at Inter in the summer to replace the sacked Roberto Mancini, who Monday received his contemporaries’ vote as coach of the season just gone for steering the northerners to the title.

Asked by Italian national coach Marcello Lippi to comment on the Italian league Mourinho said: "All championships are tough to win."

He insisted that Italian sides were very well tactically drilled meaning that "for me as a coach it’s a fantastic spectacle."

Written by: AFP

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