‘José is a special person' – Chivu hails his former manager Mourinho

Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu spoke warmly about his old manager José Mourinho ahead of their Champions League clash. Chivu was a player under Real Madrid boss Mourinho during Inter's historic 2009/10 treble-winning season. Midway through the campaign, the former left-back suffered a severe skull fracture that required brain surgery, but he fought back to start the Champions League final. Ahead of his side's match with Mourinho's Real Madrid, Chivu recalled the kindness his old boss showed him. "For me, José is a special person who I had the great fortune of meeting," said Chivu. "He gave me a helping hand during a difficult moment in my life and I'll never forget that. We created beautiful moments together."He is a winner. He's a manager who can put across certain things at key moments. From this perspective, there are few coaches in the world like him. I'm certain that Real Madrid will have a great season." Now as Inter manager, Chivu has brought about a new era of success at the club, winning the domestic double in his first season, although he does not believe his style was influenced by Mourinho. "I've never copied another coach and I will never think of doing it," he said. "My idea of football was made when I was a player and during my six years as a youth coach with Inter, where I had the chance to experiment with ideas that have served me well since I started my career as a first team coach." Chivu refused to compare the treble-winning era with his current squad's achievements, but praised the team for coming close to winning the Champions League in recent seasons. "I never compare generations. We're talking about sixteen years ago. Football has changed. Obviously we were a squad that wrote an important chapter in the history of Italian football and in the Champions League," recounted Chivu. "This is a great group of guys who are great players. They always give their maximum and they are trying to write their own history in this competition. They have reached a Europa League Final and two Champions League Finals. "It's true that they lost each one, but don't forget what it takes to reach that level. We have won trophies in Italy, but again, I don't compare generations."We want to keep writing important chapters in Inter's history."