Wesley Sneijder has revealed how manager Jose Mourinho galvanised an Inter Milan side which won a historic treble ten years ago, using his 'own laws which the players loved.'
The Dutch playmaker, who retired in 2019, enjoyed the best spell of his career under Mourinho, in a side which won the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia in 2010.
Mourinho then left for Real Madrid, while Sneijder - who also reached the World Cup final with his country a decade ago - never reached those heights again, but in his new autobiography the 36-year-old has divulged how Mourinho guided Inter to three trophies in one stunning season.
'He knew how to handle us so well. He said, "I give you guys more freedom than you are used to and, in return, I get a better team,"' Sneijder said, as reported by The Mirror.
'During games he demanded everything from us. But away from the pitch he gave us a lot of space. Drinking wine, fags… I am sure he knew that we were doing this stuff.'
Sneijder also revealed how Mourinho dealt with a teenage and rebellious Mario Balotelli within his squad of pure professionals.
'Mourinho protected us always – but you don't mess him about,' added Sneijder.
'Mario Balotelli tried it. He was young and thought he knew it all. And when Mourinho was not using him a lot, Mario walked in my hotel room one night when I was with a few other players.
It was 10.30pm and he said, "I am leaving the camp, the manager is not taking me seriously. I want more playing time".
'Mourinho later told us Mario was only welcome back again if he apologised to the entire squad and to him, the manager.
'Mario did exactly that and they came back with their arms around each other's shoulders. It was all good again – at least that's what Balotelli thought.
'During the Champions League final, Mourinho told Balotelli to do a warm-up for 45 minutes, then let Marco Materazzi warm up for five minutes. Materazzi came on, Balotelli didn't. Mourinho has his own laws.'
pibadnrtz
0
Barcelona is coming back
Nashifalna04
1
kayapeople
0
you take him to be a magician right, he came to the club when the team was in 14th position and see where they are now. Boring you said right cos he's having dullards in his squad
stay quiet
kayapeople
0
things aren't going on well because he's always taking difficult jobs. No coach in the world has done what he did around. He's always at a club with crisis and do turn it around
you really nailed it amigo
kacit
0
that's what makes him special
B'cos these days many young players are mentally weak. on top of that they are very lazy and he is demanding and hungry for success so they can't cope.
Fezclstu
0
but everything turn out right now to be boring. he shouldn't be in such level as we are seeing now with spurs. everything is just boring, at list with the squad, he should be somewhere around top 5 team's in the league
you take him to be a magician right, he came to the club when the team was in 14th position and see where they are now. Boring you said right cos he's having dullards in his squad
Fezclstu
0
He his a great man.. But this days things are not going on well with him as he has been having a hard time with young players.. Mourinho is good
things aren't going on well because he's always taking difficult jobs. No coach in the world has done what he did around. He's always at a club with crisis and do turn it around
CelestineEzekwueche
3
how can someone do warm-up for 45mins how much strength did you have and how many mins is remaining
adetokunbo26
0
Outdated Manager
yes
rattyponcho
6
Mourinho should leave England and everything will be alright because they hate him
rattyponcho
1
Outdated Manager
it is your stupidity that makes you to think so
kiddogeeh
0
Outdated Manager
you think so
tusimnos
4
Footballers nowadays are very lazy.
yopcdilnpt
4
Outdated Manager
tohelnt
2
special one
mzeereal
5
He his a great man.. But this days things are not going on well with him as he has been having a hard time with young players.. Mourinho is good
Timablouy
0
in related full knowledge of senijder
kayapeople
3
but everything turn out right now to be boring. he shouldn't be in such level as we are seeing now with spurs. everything is just boring, at list with the squad, he should be somewhere around top 5 team's in the league
bittersweet47
2
that's what makes him special
i thought this days many players are against him , that's why the result was a bit shameful
sikbimostu
4
that's what makes him special