Today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport has made a comparison between Chivu and Mourinho after the Inter coach’s last press conference.
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The main title of today’s cover was “Chivu Special”, recalling Mourinho’s nickname “Special”.
During his press conference ahead of the Serie A match against Cagliari, Chivu responded to skeptics, especially those who had predicted he would be sacked earlier in the season, due to his inexperience.
“I may be many things, but I’m not stupid,” Chivu said.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu watches during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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Mourinho had used a similar expression during his inaugural press conference at Inter in 2008, saying: “I’m not a ‘pirla’, which in typical Milanese slang means idiot or fool.
Mourinho has surely had an important influence on Chivu, both as a player and as a coach. The former defender, in fact, played 59 games for Inter under Mourinho, winning the treble in 2009-10.