Inter is suffering from Mourinho syndrome
Inter is suffering from Mourinho syndrome. It is the fault of the club, players and fans. It was noted in the first few weeks of the Benitez era, when the former coach of Liverpool was targeted because he was so different from the Special One.
The original sin was the beatification of Mourinho. A winning coach, truly special. A presence always felt even in his absence. Nobody has been able to overcome the past and look ahead, first and foremost Massimo Moratti, so attached to his protégé.
So he ended up burning and delegitimizing his successors. Benitez? The players did not like him because he was the antithesis of Mourinho. Leonardo? Too much of a dreamer and offensive, you want the pragmatism of Mou. And Gasperini? He has no character, no appeal like the Portuguese.
Looking at Gasperini imitate Mou (badly) with complaints to the referees after just two league games is almost laughable. For the Portuguese coach controversy was a way to divert the gaze from problems and trouble in the dressing room and the club. Right or wrong, Mourinho’s press conference show served its purpose. Thanks to the personality and the chutzpah of the coach. The effect of Gasperini words, however, is closer to a swan song. Or the meowing of a kitten in danger (of the sack). Poor Gasp, how uncomfortable you are in Mourinho’s shoes.