Post by Taxigirl on Oct 15, 2003 15:59:22 GMT
By Nadia Carminati
Luigi Di Biagio has explained for the first time his controversial exit from Internazionale - admitting he felt coach Hector Cuper betrayed him.
Di Biagio moved to Brescia in the summer, admitting at the time that he would explain the move in more detail at a later date.
The Italy international has now insisted that his coach at Inter - Cuper - asked him to leave, and refused to allow him to fight for inclusion in his plans.
"The truth is that Cuper betrayed me," Di Biagio told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Evidently you can never know someone completely because I had always felt he was a sincere person.
"He had called on me so many times to play in games that I wasn't fit for in the past.
"I can only guess at what happened. I had laughed off rumours in the summer that I would be shipped out of the club.
"But then I got this horrible feeling that there was some truth in it, and then Cuper rang me the day before the training camp in July.
"It was on the phone, because I think it was easier for him not to say these things to may face.
"He said:' You will have difficulty finding a first team place this year.'
"When I told him I was used to battling for my place, he added: ' I'd like you not to come to the training camp - for me you're out.'
"I went to see him at Inter's headquarters and said 'are you telling me there is not a chance in ten billion for me to get back in the team?' and he replied 'Even if 20 midfielders were injured you would not play.'
"I talked to Massimo Moratti, [Inter's president] and he was genuinely surprised by what had gone on - he told me that I should stay and see if the situation changed.
"As coach Cuper is free to make the decisions, but not to show me a lack of respect.
"I don't think he decided until the day before that he did not need me.
"It would have been bad enough telling me a month in advance - but a day before?"