Chapter 272: Chapter 272

He originally had subtle expectations, thinking that if they could keep the current main framework and strengthen the weak links, Inter would have the power to challenge Juventus for the league championship next season!

Mancini was looking to overturn Juventus’s dominance with their four consecutive Serie A titles; achieving that would definitely be a magnificent feat in his coaching career, even more worth celebrating and being proud of than leading Inter to a triple Serie A championship in the past.

After chatting deeply with Ossilio for three hours and learning that Inter would be transitioning to a youth development strategy, Mancini realized how laughable those expectations were, and it was time for him to take his leave.

"Ossilio, let me speak from my heart as well. I came from the Premier League to Serie A to prove once again that I’m still a world-class coach."

"This season at Inter, I have accomplished this. I helped the club win a championship and return to the Champions League, exceeding the KPIs set by the boss."

"Icardi has been sold, Tang is also leaving, and it sounds like you will continue to sell the main players? If most of the main players are gone next season and you give me a handful of youngsters, leaving the mess to me, I don’t see the need to continue staying at Inter; you must know, my salary is quite substantial!"

Mancini was signed by Inter for two and a half years, with a salary of 4 million euros net per year.

If the contract is fully fulfilled, with taxes added, Inter would spend up to 20 million euros on him.

When Ossilio did the math, wouldn’t you know it, it really wasn’t cost-effective.

However, Ossilio couldn’t make the decision to terminate the head coach’s contract; he immediately contacted Toshihiko in the United States.

The two discussed over the phone, bringing a youth team next season and spending 8 million euros annually on the coach really wasn’t worth the while.

Ossilio told Mancini the next day: "We can agree to terminate the contract prematurely, but for the remaining 23 months of the contract, we can only offer you 2 million euros as a severance package, and you have to wait until August 1st for the official announcement. After all, there are too many departures all at once, Mr. Toshihiko also fears being criticized by Italian public opinion, and I can’t withstand the pressure here."

After saying this, Ossilio was anxious, originally expecting Mancini to blow up furiously and rant over the phone, bargaining intensely, and dragging negotiations on for at least ten days to half a month.

But unexpectedly, Mancini agreed very straightforwardly without any hesitation.

This made Ossilio regret profoundly, wishing he had set the price lower to extract a little bit of the severance package from Mancini, even if it were just 40 or 50 thousand euros—a little money is still money.

Mancini was so eager to leave Inter, naturally, he already had his next destination lined up!

He received an offer that was difficult to refuse.

England national team extended an invitation to Mancini, wanting to appoint him as the head coach of the Three Lions, with a three-year contract offering a salary of 5 million British Pounds, leading the team in the 2016 European Championship!

The English Football Association favored Mancini’s impressive coaching achievements this season at Inter.

Especially his performance in the UEFA Europa League, which was refreshing to all of Europe!

Moreover, Mancini had coached Manchester City for three years, having a certain understanding of English players, and faced no communication problems in English language.

Considering all factors, the English Football Association deemed Mancini the best candidate for their national team, to replace the aging current head coach Hodgson, who was already 68 years old, with exhaustion evident due to health issues.

Upon receiving this invitation, Mancini fell into deep struggle.

Originally, he intended to coach the Italian national team; it was his career dream as an Italian coach.

However, the current Italian national team head coach, Conte, had only been coaching for a year, his position firmly secure, leading the national team to next year’s European Cup was a certainty.

It was the year 2015, exactly one year away from the European Cup. If he were to take over the England national team now, he’d have ample time to scout suitable candidates during the upcoming Premier League season.

But this would mean he might lead England against his home country Italy in the European Cup, a scenario Mancini found somewhat awkward upon the thought.

He even pondered whether he should celebrate if England scored a goal.

It wasn’t until an agent’s words brought clarity to Mancini and stirred a deep sense of pride within him, finally helping him make a decision!

"Since World War II, England’s national team has had 18 managers, only two of whom were foreigners."

"This is a very proud nation; they use British Pounds, not euros, they regard English as the best language in the world, they even seek to leave the EU; inviting you, not using local coaches, shows how much they value you."

"Historically, no Italian has ever led a foreign national team to win an intercontinental cup. If you achieve it, your name will be carved into the history of Italian football, alongside Lippi."

"Moreover, there’s the World Cup in three years; wouldn’t you want to lead England to challenge that?"

A few days later, Mancini returned to Ossilio’s office to sign the severance contract.

Ossilio said some polite words, wishing him success in his future endeavors.

He had been working at Inter Milan for 17 years, initially joining Inter Milan in 1998, began as the director of youth training, and was promoted to sports director in 2010. Although the club has changed ownership, he managed to keep his job.

Since Mancini first joined Inter in 2004, they had become colleagues, yet over the past ten years, his relationship with this Inter veteran had remained rather bland.

With two tenures at Inter, accumulating five seasons, Mancini brought Inter three Serie A championships, five Coppa Italia championships, two Italian Super Cup championships, and one UEFA Europa League championship.

Although he never led Inter to win the Champions League, in terms of trophy count, Mancini was undoubtedly Inter’s top head coach.

Unlike Chiwo, who was deeply dedicated, loving Inter to the point of risking a skull fracture, even there!

However, as Inter’s head coach, Mancini was always dedicated to his post, adhered to his responsibilities, preparing meticulously for each match without slacking.

Throughout these five seasons, any bonuses and salaries Mancini received strictly came from contractual agreements, without pocketing a single penny in kickbacks.

If he fulfilled the contract with the England national team, he’d be 54 years old when completed, perhaps without another opportunity to return to Inter, to achieve a third tenure.

Thinking of this, Mancini suddenly felt moved.

This club was where he became famous, evolving from an ordinary coach into an esteemed championship coach.

Was he really leaving?

Mancini recalled names of some old companions, Rekoba, Adriano, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Balotelli...

He held the pen, hand trembling, and signed his name on the severance contract.

"After I leave, who are you planning to appoint as Inter’s head coach?" Mancini suddenly asked.

Ossilio chuckled inwardly, thinking, you’ve got your severance and are leaving, you still worry about so much; it’s just a matter of discussing it with the boss, what concern is it of yours?

He replied lightly, "Don’t you admire Chiwo quite a bit? I’ll appoint him then; his salary would certainly be cheaper."

Ossilio was merely jesting; naturally, he wouldn’t let Chiwo take over.

That guy, considering himself a legend of Inter, was arrogant, not even taking me, the sports director, seriously. After Mancini leaves, all of his associates would be ousted, with Chiwo first and foremost.

Mancini paused, feeling a lump in his throat, and slowly said, "Christian is not suitable for that position now; please don’t harm him, I plan to take him to England."

"Why? Many are competing for that position."

"Because he loves Inter too much, making him unsuitable for here."

After saying this, Mancini picked up the severance contract from the table, gestured to Ossilio—which was both a goodbye to this old colleague and a farewell to his five-year tenure at Inter—and then strode out of the office.

(There’s one more Chapter, expected to be posted at midnight. For the brothers who go to bed early, you can check it tomorrow morning.)