Italy doesn’t respect me, complains Mourinho

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho refused to speculate on his future but did explain on Tuesday why he is unhappy in Italy.

Inter are preparing for their biggest match in 38 years as they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday – their first final in this competition since 1972.

But all anyone seems to want to know in the build up is who the Portuguese will be coaching next year, with Real Madrid the big favourites to sign him.

But without revealing what he will do, Mourinho said the only thing pushing him away from Italy is a lack of respect.

“It’s not a problem with my contract or money, in fact I’m a bit ashamed about how much I earn given there’s a crisis,” he said.

“It’s a problem with personal satisfaction, feeling respected or not in a football country in which I have had many problems.

“I won’t change what I’ve said a few days ago: it’s not true that I’m the Real coach.

“After the final I want to take two or three days to think calmly about my future.

“Obviously Inter could not do any more to make me feel happy and valued. The players are fantastic, I have empathy with the fans, everyone at the club is fantastic.”

His players have said they want to win the Champions League to try to convince Mourinho to stay but the former Chelsea and Porto boss said that won’t make any difference.

“Saturday’s result won’t count for anything, it won’t change my knowledge that I’ve done everything possible.

“Inter don’t owe me anything and I don’t owe them anything either because I’ve given everything.

“I’m calm, the result won’t influence the decision I’ll take on my future.

“As for my successor, the club chose me and it was a good choice and when the time comes to make a new choice, they’ll do that well too.

“After the final I will think about my future. I have to think about it but I’ve not yet done so.

“Right now I’m the Inter coach and I have a contract until 2012 or 2013, I don’t remember which (2012).

“I don’t want to talk about my successor because it might be me.

“The human dimensions of the players help a lot in constructing the strength of the coach.

“The people who play in this team have made me a better coach and they will do so again with someone else.”

Mourinho also revealed that Inter have brought forward their travel plans to Madrid by two days due to the volcano erupting in Iceland.

Instead of flying out on Friday, they will do so on Wednesday.

“I would have preferred to work here (at Inter’s training complex) but it’s better not to take any risks with the volcano,” he said.

“I would have preferred to travel Friday but instead we’ll go tomorrow (Wednesday).”