Former Arsenal & Inter Legend On Nerazzurri Coach Links: “I Was Never Contacted Before Chivu” | OneFootball

Former Inter Milan, Juventus and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has revealed there was no truth to rumours of him taking over at the Nerazzurri this summer, as the Frenchman said “I’ve read and heard a lot but nobody ever contacted me,” before the club appointed Cristian Chivu.

Vieira was linked as a potential candidate to take over at San Siro, after Simone Inzaghi left to join Al-Hilal earlier in the summer.

Eventually, the Nerazzurri hired Cristian Chivu and Vieira remained in his place at Genoa.

The Frenchman confirmed his happiness at staying with the Rossoblu, “I only wanted to work at Genoa, also for the fans: exceptional.”

Genoa Coach Vieira On Inter Milan & Chivu Appointment

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 17: Genoa coach Patrick Vieira looks on ahead of the Serie A match between Genoa and Venezia at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 17, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Vieira also discussed a bit of background information from when he left Inter as a player.

“I left in January, a few months before the treble. But it was my fault, not Mourinho’s,” the Frenchman said.

“He always told me things with transparency,” Vieira continued, “We had a difficult but stable relationship.”

However, there was no bad blood between the two:

“When we met again, we greeted each other with affection,” Vieira concluded.

“And now that I’m on the other side, I understand his point of view.”

Vieira also took the time to compliment some of his former Inter teammates.

The Frenchman was asked about working alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, “We both lived for competition, even in training.”

The former Arsenal man then added “The same goes for our teammates: I think of Buffon, Cannavaro and Thuram at Juve.”

Finally, he concluded “And at Inter? Cambiasso, Zanetti and Stankovic.”