Xherdan Shaqiri has revealed that the prospect of playing for Roberto Mancini was a big factor behind his decision to move to Inter Milan in the January transfer window.
The Switzerland international was a reported target of Liverpool and Stoke City but joined the Italian side from Bayern Munich, and he explained that he was relishing the thought of being coached by Mancini.
"Inter had been in contact with my agents and my brother Erdin for some time," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Then there were two phone calls from Mancini. We had two good chats. I immediately felt like I would be very important for him.
"At my age, what interested me most was the chance to play regularly, which hadn't happened a lot lately.
"Mancini explained to me that I would see a lot of time on the pitch. He spoke about his philosophy and that of the club, and his desire to take Inter back to its glorious recent past."
Inter are currently ninth in Serie A and travel to Napoli on Sunday.
Paul Gorst
