Mancini dismisses talk of Inter move

Lazio coach Roberto Mancini dismissed Italian media reports suggesting he had held talks with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti over a possible summer move to the San Siro club.

"It's a fairytale - I never met Moratti," Mancini told Tuesday's Corriere dello Sport.

"I am an honourable man and I keep my word. I have a contract with Lazio until 2004 and I haven't signed with another club."

However, Mancini, who admitted having breakfast close to Moratti's Milan office on Monday, the day after his side's 1-1 draw with Inter, said his future depended largely on Lazio resolving their crippling money problems.

"If the club are successful in sorting out their finances, I will stay," he added.

The Roman outfit's board are several months behind in paying salaries this season, triggering angry responses from key players such as Dutch defender Jaap Stam and goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, who have both threatened to leave.

Currently coached by former Valencia boss Hector Cuper, Inter are second in Serie A, but are unlikely to win the title unless league leaders Juventus suffer a major collapse in the final four matches.

Title-holders Juve have an eight point lead over closest challengers Inter and could wrap up the title on Saturday.

However Inter are still hopeful of winning the Champions League, having set up a semi-final meeting against local rivals AC Milan following last week's win over Cuper's old club Valencia.

On Monday, Moratti hinted Cuper's future could be in doubt if Inter failed to win a trophy for a second season under his leadership.

"Winning is not a hobby, it is a necessity," he said.