Don't call me Jose! Rafa distances himself from Mourinho
-
Don't call me Jose! Rafa Benitez distances himself from Jose Mourinho after being unveiled as Inter Milan boss
The dawn of a new age: The Benitez era begins at the San Siro
New Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has insisted comparisons with predecessor Jose Mourinho were wide of the mark.
Benitez unveiled as the new Inter boss on Tuesday following his departure from Liverpool and Mourinho's switch to Real Madrid.
The Spaniard is hoping to maintain the Nerazzurri's recent success after Mourinho led them to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble last season.
But he is adamant his approach will differ to that of the Portuguese.
Different strokes: Rafa Benitez (right) has dodged comparisons with predecessor Jose Mourinho (left)
'I don't think I am the anti-Mourinho but I am different,' he said. 'I am a coach who likes winning, who likes playing good football, though, so I don't think we are different in that.'
Benitez was delighted to have landed at Inter after a difficult end to his six-year spell at Anfield.
He added: 'The main idea of Inter and of Italy is that you breathe football. You breathe football and I like that.
'The club is a great one and we will try to do everything possible to be the best.'
Benitez faces a daunting task in following in Mourinho's footsteps but he is confident that it is the start of an 'historic period' for the club.
And he knows the players must maintain their winning mentality.
'Inter are coming off an almost perfect year. I want the footballers not to lose the desire to win. I want to keep that winning mentality and I think I can,' said Benitez.
'I'm happy to have top-class players. The difficulty will be keeping this level but we can do that. I think the level is high and if we can keep that winning spirit I think we can do well.
'If the players can do the same again this year, for two more years or even more... it will be an historic period for the club.'
Mourinho was often criticised for a lack of attractive football. And, while Benitez claims his aim is to entertain on the pitch, he insists trophies come first.
He said: 'I think that's a difficult question. What's good football for you? For me? For our fans?
'We all know that in England you play a more direct game, Spain is more about short passes. Here we play differently to Spain, what's better?
'The mentality is always to win playing well and playing well depends on the players you have. I have the mentality of winning playing good football. I think the players are good and they like playing good football.
'We'll try to win playing good football but what's most important is winning.'
-
'I am a coach who likes winning, who likes playing good football
which coach is not like that? -.-
-
he is not even near Jose's standards..
-
I expect at least 20 new signings for the next season for Inter.
And 19 of these new signings won't get to play more than 5 games each.
-
Pool fans should thank Inter for taking Rafa away or he woundn't have left them so easily... He would have stick to them like a leech and wait for his big money compensation...
-
I never regard u as 2nd jose
-
I sure hope Sneijder abandons Rafa!
-
His not even fit to lick his boots not say CALL ME JOSE
-
Distance himself from Jose???
-
Inter has no idea what they are getting at