Former Inter defender Marco Materazzi thanks Enzo Maresca and Chelsea for ‘avenging’ Inter’s defeat within the Champions League Closing in opposition to PSG and admits ex-Everton coach Walter Smith handled him like a son.
Italy World Cup winner Materazzi spoke about his time within the Premier League in an interview with .
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Materazzi left Perugia in 1998 to hitch Everton, the place he performed for one season earlier than returning to the Stadio Curi.
Materazzi: Everton spell ‘lovely and tough’
epa00768064 Italian participant Marco Materazzi tries to place a hat over the World Cup trophy after the ultimate of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Italy and France on the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Sunday 09 July 2006. EPA/BERND WEISSBROD .
“It was very lovely and tough. I went there with my spouse and my son, who was eight months outdated,” admitted the ex-defender.
“We had been alone, and I can’t deny that I might have stayed in Perugia as a result of we had received the [Serie B] league. I returned to Perugia, and we had been relegated, so I made a decision to convey the membership again to Serie A. We managed to get promoted, after which they bought me to Everton. I informed them I wished to remain because the captain. I used to be incomes little or no in comparison with different gamers, so I requested to search out an settlement to remain, however they mentioned I needed to go away, so I packed my baggage and went to Liverpool.
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“My spouse satisfied me, she mentioned: ‘It’s going to alter our life for the higher’, and it’s what occurred. I knew that going to England meant I might not be thought-about for the nationwide staff, and that’s the actual cause why I returned to Italy.
“I keep in mind every part about my time in England, the coach, who sadly is not right here, Walter Smith. He beloved Italy and at all times introduced his groups to Italy for pre-season camp, in order that was very useful. The truth that he beloved Italians was useful as a result of he handled me like a son, and once you go overseas, having somebody who helps you and believes in you, not simply as a participant, but additionally as a person, helps so much with settling in.”
A really bodily centre-back, Materazzi’s traits suited the Premier League’s model in these years.
“Everybody mentioned I had the precise talent set to play within the Premier League,” he admitted.
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Materazzi thanks Maresca for beating PSG in Membership World Cup Closing
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, engages with Gianluigi Donnarumma #1 of Paris Saint-Germain following the FIFA Membership World Cup 2025 Closing match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photograph by Luke Hales/Getty Photos)
“Significantly in these years, it wasn’t the forefront of the game. In these years, the one groups that performed the ‘Latin method’ had been West Ham, who performed very effectively, Manchester United and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
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“As for the others, once you performed Wimbledon, for instance, the dressing rooms had been small, however the measurement of the strikers made me look small. Nevertheless, English soccer has advanced now and has tailored to the philosophies of the likes of Maresca, Guardiola. Maresca even grew to become World Champion, and I’ve to thank him for avenging Inter’s defeat within the Champions League Closing.”
Maresca’s Chelsea grew to become the primary Membership World Cup winners earlier this month after beating PSG within the Closing performed in New York.
The Ligue 1 giants had overwhelmed Inter
Materazzi returned to Perugia in 1999 after which signed for Inter in 2001. He spent ten years at San Siro, profitable a number of trophies, together with 5 Serie A titles, 4 Coppa Italia and one Champions League.
Materazzi retired in 2017 after a three-year spell at Chennaiyin.