Mazzarri happiest when

He’s at Hornets’ helm

WALTER MAZZARRI claims he would not swap Watford for Inter Milan.

The former Napoli and Inter boss takes the Hornets to Sunderland today.

Three years ago, Black Cats boss David Moyes was in charge of Manchester United, while Mazzarri was at the helm at the San Siro.

But Mazzarri, who has also bossed Sampdoria, insists there is nowhere he would rather be than managing Watford in the Premier League.

Mazzarri said: “Being in the Premier League is a valuable experience because there are so many top-level managers running all the teams, not just the big ones.

“Therefore, I don’t feel much of a difference if I compare this experience to my time as a manager of a top-level team such as ® Napoli and Inter. And I think the same applies to Moyes. It is the Premier League context that makes the difference and makes you feel important.

“Here you feel that you have a chance to win, even against the leading teams.

“What represents a challenge for me is being here, rather than the ranking of the team.”

Moyes is battling to rebuild his reputation after disastrous time at United and an ill-fated spell with Real Sociedad in Spain.

But Mazzarri believes that a good manager will prove his worth, whatever country he is in.

The Italian added: “It applies to me as well. When a manager is competent, he can do his job well wherever he is.

“Moyes is good at his job, but the reason for this is not that he has also worked abroad, and the same applies to me.

“The way football is, from the point of view of the manager, stays the same in whatever country he works. There are no huge differences.”

Mazzarri expects to welcome back former Sunderland defender Younes Kaboul and midfielder Valon Behrami at the Stadium of Light.

But he will be without in-form midfielder Roberto Pereyra, who injured his knee in the midweek loss at Manchester City.