Speaking to the press during his unveiling at Roma, Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at those who criticised his recent spell at Tottenham.
The 58-year-old managed a sixth-placed Premier League finish with Spurs during his first season, but failed to improve on that in the following campaign.
He was sacked last April despite taking the club to the Carabao Cup final – a game Tottenham lost under interim manager Ryan Mason.
However, the Portuguese was characteristically bullish when discussing his last managerial job, keen to point out standards for him are much higher than most.
He told the Italian Press: “At Tottenham, they didn’t keep me for the final and, for me, a disaster. What is a disaster for me is a success for others.”
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He continued his defense, saying: “The criticisms? I have nothing to answer. My last three clubs. Title with Chelsea, three cups with United, a final with Tottenham. What for me is a disaster someone has never done in their life. That’s how it is. It’s my fault.
Mourinho’s reputation in England may have been damaged in recent years, but his past success in Italy still holds him in high-regard for many Serie A fans.
Until last season, Inter had not won Scudetto since 2010 when Mourinho led the club to a treble which included their first European Cup since 1965 under Helenio Herrera.
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This history was something Mourinho was keen to lean upon, while also using it as an excuse to dismiss the achievements of Antonio Conte.
At the risk of rekindling an old feud, Mourinho boldly claimed: “In Inter, no one can be compared to me or Herrera.”