The Switzerland international says his new boss is the reason he chose a move to San Siro over a host of top European clubs
Xherdan Shaqiri says Roberto Mancini is responsible for him electing to join Inter.
The Switzerland international failed to secure a regular starting place in three years at Bayern Munich, but had no shortage of potential suitors when he revealed he was ready to move away from Bavaria in December.
The 23-year-old says Inter fans have coach Mancini to thank for his decision to choose Serie A over potential moves to Spain or England.
“Inter had been in contact with my agents and my brother Erdin for some time,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Then there were two phone calls from Mancini. We had two good chats. I immediately felt like I would be very important for him.
“At my age, what interested me most was the chance to play regularly, which hadn’t happened a lot lately.
“Mancini explained to me that I would see a lot of time on the pitch. He spoke about his philosophy and that of the club, and his desire to take Inter back to its glorious recent past.”
Inter head to Napoli on Sunday desperate to get back to winning ways following a 1-0 home defeat to Fiorentina but no Serie A side has matched the Nerazzurri’s 34 defeats at the San Paolo.
Shaqiri says victory would be a huge mental boost as Inter look to make up the ten points separating them from Napoli and Serie A’s final Champions League place.
“It is not easy to win at Napoli, but getting three points there would be very important psychologically. We must play well and try to grow. We have everything it takes to do that.”