AC Milan loanee striker Fernando Torres dissed former managers Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez saying they don’t understand because they were not “champions” as players. Torres was asked by Corriere della Sera what differentiates his current manager Filippo Inzaghi from his former managers and he took the chance to point out what he believes was a deficiency in two of his more high profile former managers.
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Fernando Torres had a fantastic run of form under Rafa Benitez at Liverpool and became one of the most feared strikers in all of world football under him so it is curious to see him take a shot at him. He also played very well under Benitez at Chelsea FC when he was the interim manager after Roberto Di Matteo. Fernando Torres was not the most popular player under Jose Mourinho so claiming that he was misunderstood under him at Chelsea FC does make a bit more sense.
Fernando Torres on what makes Filippo Inzaghi different:
"“[While] I don’t believe it’s fundamental to have been a great champion before becoming a coach of a high caliber, those who have played have something extra to offer their players. [Filippo] Inzaghi is a bit like [Luis] Aragones who made history at Atletico. That’s why I feel that he understands me [better than Benitez and Mourinho].”Source: Live Soccer TV"
This could be seen as more of a vote of confidence for Filippo Inzaghi who is new to the world of top flight management and some words of encouragement from a high profile player could be well received around the San Siro. It could have been said in a more constructive way without the veiled shot at his former managers but it is doubtful that either of them are losing any sleep over the striker’s comments.
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