Mourinho: I Ran Away From Inter Milan To Join Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has revealed the truth about why he 'ran away' from Inter Milan to join Real Madrid after winning the historic treble.

The Portuguese led Inter to the UEFA Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles in his second season with the club, becoming the first Italian side to do so.

However, Mourinho surprisingly left the defending European champions at time to take over at Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he endured a mixed three season.

"When I had these last words with Materazzi, it was like I was hugging every player which is something I tried not to do," Mourinho told the Athletic.

"I was on the pitch with them in the celebrations, in the medals, in the cup. I was with them but then I didn't go back to the dressing room because I didn't want to say goodbye.

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"It was too hard for me and I didn't want to leave with them for Milan because people were saying I had a contract with Real Madrid. It was not true. I had an agreement, but I did not have a contract signed.

"I really wanted to go to Real Madrid at that time. I really wanted to try to win the Spanish league after the English and Italian leagues - but I feared that if I go back to Milan with the team and, with the reaction of the players and the fans, I was afraid of not being able to leave. I can say that I ran away. I ran away from them."