Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho admits he knew “from the first day” that Christian Eriksen wanted to leave for Inter and would not be dissuaded.
Mou continued to state until the final few days that Eriksen was committed to Spurs, even when it was evident the player had agreed personal terms with his next club.
The Dane’s contract with Tottenham was due to expire in June and he never had the slightest intention of renewing.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho admits he knew “from the first day” that Christian Eriksen wanted to leave for Inter and would not be dissuaded.
Mou continued to state until the final few days that Eriksen was committed to Spurs, even when it was evident the player had agreed personal terms with his next club.
The Dane’s contract with Tottenham was due to expire in June and he never had the slightest intention of renewing.
“With Christian, that was a player for a long, long time we know, I never told because it was a kind of moral agreement that we made with him I would never say to you, the day I arrive, first day, he told me I am not going to sign,” revealed Mourinho in his press conference.
“So then it was an experienced and intelligent way for me and Mr Levy to manage the situation. For me to try to have still a player without great motivations, but still a player with a good sense of professionalism and respect for the club to give us what he could and Mr Levy on the business side managed to do a great deal with six months on his contract.”
Inter tried to haggle down the price, but Tottenham never budged from their €20m asking price, despite the risk of losing him for free.
“Christian told me the decision was made and no way” could he be talked out of it, continued Mourinho.
“From that moment I was just trying to build the team without him. That was the reason why I didn't play him many, many times.
“At the same time, Christian being a good professional and having respect for the club and his team-mates I knew that with some limitations – there are always limitations with a player in his situation – that until his last day he tried to help the team and be a positive guy in the dressing room, which he was.
“You could feel in some matches he was not Christian. I feel that is normal, but he would always be a positive guy and a respectful guy. We were happy to have him here until the end of the season.
"It then becomes about the future of the team and the future of the team needs the deal that Mr Levy made.”