In the often-guarded world of professional football, candid revelations are a rare commodity. Yet, Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is shattering that unspoken code with his newly launched autobiography, “La mia vita sempre al centro” (My life spent in the middle). This unflinching account pulls back the curtain on some of the most contentious moments of his career, offering an unfiltered look at fractious relationships with two of European football`s most prominent managers: Jose Mourinho and Simone Inzaghi.
The Special One and the Unhappy One: Mkhitaryan vs. Mourinho
Mkhitaryan`s tenure at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018 under Jose Mourinho was, by his own admission, a period fraught with tension. The Portuguese manager, renowned for his demanding style, seemingly found a particularly persistent target in Mkhitaryan. What began as performance criticism quickly devolved into a bitter personal conflict.
According to Mkhitaryan, the turning point arrived when, after enduring a year and a half of relentless critique, he finally snapped. Confronting Mourinho, Mkhitaryan revealed the manager`s cutting remark: “Mourinho told me I was `s**t`.” It was a moment that transcended professional feedback, provoking an equally blunt response from the player: “You are the s**t. An enormous one.” One can only imagine the frosty atmosphere that must have descended upon the training ground following such an exchange.
The aftermath was, as one might expect from Mourinho, a calculated campaign to engineer Mkhitaryan`s departure. The midfielder recounts a series of persistent WhatsApp messages from Mourinho, each a thinly veiled plea for him to leave. The motive soon became clear: Mourinho coveted Alexis Sanchez, then at Arsenal, and Mkhitaryan was the necessary collateral. “Miki, please leave, that way I can get Alexis Sanchez,” Mourinho`s messages reportedly read. Mkhitaryan, however, was no pushover, insisting on finding the “right team” before agreeing to any move, and curtly redirected Mourinho to his agent, Mino Raiola.
Ultimately, the exchange materialized, with Mkhitaryan moving to Arsenal and Sanchez to Manchester United. The irony, however, is not lost on Mkhitaryan, or indeed, on football observers. Years later, their paths converged again at Roma (2021-2022). To the surprise of many, the reunion was reportedly amicable, a testament perhaps to time, maturity, or simply the pragmatic nature of the sport. As Mkhitaryan wryly notes in his book, “And everyone lived happily ever after.” A rather optimistic conclusion for a story rooted in such acrimony.
The Inter Milan Chapter: Inzaghi`s Al-Hilal Gambit
The revelations extend beyond his time in England, delving into Mkhitaryan`s more recent experiences at Inter Milan. His working relationship with Simone Inzaghi, while seemingly productive on the pitch, ended with a distinct lack of transparency that Mkhitaryan found unsettling. The core issue revolved around Inzaghi`s rumored move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
While media outlets were buzzing with reports of Inzaghi`s impending departure, the coach, according to Mkhitaryan, remained publicly silent and offered no clarification to his players. This left the squad in an uncomfortable state of uncertainty. The confirmation eventually came, not from Inzaghi himself, but from Al-Hilal`s official announcement of their new coach. Mkhitaryan`s candid reflection: “We are grown adults and, to be truthful, the split was not painless, especially the way it happened.” It speaks volumes about the value players place on clear communication and professional courtesy, even amidst the cutthroat nature of top-flight football.
This episode also brings into focus the burgeoning influence of the Saudi Pro League. Inzaghi`s pursuit of his former Inter players for Al-Hilal highlights the substantial financial allure of the league. Mkhitaryan himself confirms receiving an offer from Saudi Arabia in 2024. However, true to his character, he remained resolute: “I was clear from the start, I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I was at Inter.” His commitment to his current club underscores a different kind of loyalty, one that prioritizes professional stability over potential lucrative transfers.
Beyond the Touchline: The Human Element of Football
Mkhitaryan`s autobiography is more than just a collection of anecdotes; it`s a testament to the complex, often volatile, human dynamics that underpin professional football. It showcases how personal relationships with coaches can significantly impact a player`s career, sometimes leading to dramatic transfers, other times fostering unexpected reconciliations. The stories illuminate the intense pressures managers face, often resorting to unconventional tactics to reshape their squads, and the resilience players must cultivate to navigate such environments.
From the verbal jousting with Mourinho to the silent disconnect with Inzaghi, Mkhitaryan`s experiences offer a valuable, unvarnished perspective on the inner workings of elite football. His willingness to share these “not painless” moments reminds us that behind the gleaming stadiums and multi-million-euro contracts, there are individuals grappling with ambition, conflict, and the constant demand for peak performance.
