Ex Man Utd & Arsenal Star Reveals – “Why I Joined Inter Milan, Inzaghi A Father Figure, Chivu Has A Great Future” | OneFootball

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed the reason he joined Inter Milan from Roma in the summer of 2022.

During an extensive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the 36-year-old discussed numerous issues regarding his career.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan swapped Roma for Inter Milan in 2022, joining the Nerazzurri on a Bosman deal.

Despite arriving at San Siro as a veteran, Mkhitaryan quickly established himself as an influential first-team figure.

Indeed, he became the cornerstone of Inter’s midfield under former manager Simone Inzaghi.

Furthermore, regardless of his age, Mkhitaryan has maintained outstanding physical condition these past few years.

However, the arrivals of Petar Sucic and Cristian Chivu have changed the dynamics at Giuseppe Meazza this season.

The new manager has often preferred the Croatian starlet over the Armenian star.

Therefore, Mkhitaryan has tumbled down the pecking order, but he remains one of the team’s most valuable members.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Reveals Why He Joined Inter Milan

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Mkhitaryan admitted that Piero Ausilio played a major role in convincing him to join the Nerazzurri three years ago.

“In my second year at Roma, Piero Ausilio called me saying that he wanted me at Inter,” he claimed. “I replied that it had to be closed by May 31 since I had an option to stay.

“He said that he had to sell two players, and I didn’t want to wait, saying that maybe we would do something afterward.

“From there, we didn’t hear from each other anymore.

“In the third season, with Tiago Pinto, we were discussing the renewal; he knew that I liked Roma and that I would have wanted to finish my career there.

“However, maybe they didn’t understand me and wanted to do things their way.

“At that point, I said no to a 1+1, because I wanted guarantees.

“Then, playing against Inter in a match we lost 3-1, Ausilio called me back, saying that Simone Inzaghi wanted me very much.

“We were still in the running for the league and had to play the Conference League final.

“Inter offered me two fixed years; Roma hadn’t been clear.

“Maybe Mourinho didn’t know anything, but seeing what was happening, I said that I couldn’t stay because I couldn’t trust the executives.

“I decided to leave, and for Mourinho it was already late; he argued with Tiago Pinto and said to speak with him.

“But I had already given my OK to Inter.”

Excellent Rapport with ‘Father Figure’ Simone Inzaghi

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after collecting his runners up medal after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

As aforementioned, Mkhitaryan was among Inzaghi’s most trusted midfielders.

Therefore, it’s no wonder the Armenian remembers the 49-year-old’s tenure with fondness and respect.

“Those were three wonderful years,” Mkhitaryan replied when asked about his relationship with the former Inter manager.

“He gave me a second youth because at 36, playing every match makes you feel important.

“But when in Udine I came off after 32 minutes, I thought: ‘Maybe I’ve found someone else who will behave badly with me.’

“However, I didn’t know about his habit of substituting players who had been booked…

“Inzaghi is a father, coach, friend; he knows football, you can talk about everything with him as if he were a friend while still knowing the limits.

“When he went to Arabia, I thanked him for these three years because he was fundamental for this Inter, and one day I will embrace him again.”

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan featured in two Champions League finals with Inter.

Unfortunately, the Nerazzurri slumped in both title-deciding fixtures, most recently losing to Paris Saint-Germain in June.

It was also Inzaghi’s last match in charge of Inter as he joined Al-Hilal shortly after the final.

However, Mkhitaryan insists Inzaghi was not distracted by intense speculation heading into the game.

“Let’s say they disturbed us because, among people, they were talking about something else.

“He wanted to focus on the final, and that’s what happened for those ten days after the Como match.”

Mixed Feelings About Champions League Run

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Mkhitaryan also discussed Inzaghi’s habit of making the famous hour-mark substitutions.

Asked what’s stronger – the pride of the journey or the trauma of the ending, Mkhitaryan replied: “Both.

“What you do is a very difficult journey; you don’t reach a Champions League final from the first day without doing anything.

“I’m proud of the season we had, but we lost three titles in three weeks.

“In football, you win or lose, and we lost.

“However, in a nine-month season, you have the regret of not having won, even being used to winning.”

Winning Europa League With Manchester United

Inter Milan’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) and Inter Milan’s Italian defender Danilo D’Ambrosio (C) look on as the team inspects the pitch in Plzen on September 12, 2022, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Group C second leg football match between FC Viktoria Plzen and Inter Milan. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Before joining Inter, Mkhitaryan helped Manchester United win the Europa League title in 2017.

“In 2017, we played Manchester United-Ajax in Stockholm,” Mkhitaryan recalled. “Before the match, during the break, I always try to sleep.

“That time I couldn’t because it was my first European final and I had incredible tension.

“But we won, and I was very happy; I even scored against Onana, who later became my teammate.”

In 2019, he was unable to play for Arsenal in the Europa League final against Chelsea.

“Two years later, there was the Baku final, where I couldn’t play due to diplomatic issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he added.

“But that could have been the only regret for not going and not helping the team.

“In Tirana, I played 17 minutes due to a recurring injury.

“I asked Mourinho to start me, guaranteeing that I would play as long as I could, but I came off shortly after.

“In Istanbul, we went as sacrificial victims against Manchester City.

“However, we showed everyone that we could compete on equal terms and even win easily, proving at times that we were superior.

“Maybe we didn’t have too much tension and too many expectations, and we did very well.

“In Monaco, we burned ourselves.

“The super matches against Barcelona and Bayern made us think we could also beat PSG, and that’s where everything went wrong.”

Apolitical Inter Milan Star Henrikh Mkhitaryan Does Not Think About Presidential Candidacy

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 27: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale looks on before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Lecce at Gewiss Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Mkhitaryan admitted that he doesn’t care about politics.

“Nuri Sahin, my teammate at Borussia Dortmund, got offended when I stepped aside at the moment I realized that the team was involved in a shooting for Turkish Airlines, something I could not take part in.

“I explained it to him via message, but he didn’t understand immediately, and for a while, he was upset.

“But now we have a great relationship.

“I’ve had many Turkish teammates. Under at Roma or Hakan Calhanoglu at Inter, with whom I spend almost the whole day together because we take our children to school.”

From Armenian President To Coaching – What The Future Holds

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Internazionale and Viktoria Plzen at San Siro Stadium on October 26, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Finally, he delivered his verdict on Mino Raiola’s famous hint at his potential presidential candidacy.

“I’m not thinking about it,” he maintained. “I don’t know how long I’ll play; I wouldn’t want to have regrets, saying that I could have done another year.

“And I need to figure out what to do; I haven’t decided yet.

“Coaching? Never say never, but today I say more no than yes. Same for the role of president.”

Mkhitaryan also discussed Inzaghi’s habit of making the famous hour-mark substitutions.

“I’m almost 37, I still have a huge desire to play,” he stated. “But you have to understand the choices of the coach and the club.

“I’m always ready to help the team even without playing every game.

“If I were 23, I would have spoken with them, asking why.

“However, today, I’m not physically what I was a few years ago, and I can give what I have in one match per week.”

Moreover, he hailed Chivu for doing everything to help the team despite often benching him.

“I accept what Chivu does because he does it for the good of the team; I see a coach who wants to grow and has a great future in my eyes.”