TONY Parkes flew back from Milan last night still unsure as to whether Roy Hodgson will reverse his shock decision to quit Internazionale with two games of the Serie A season remaining, writes PETER WHITE.

But Parkes has every sympathy for the man about to take charge of Blackburn Rovers after witnessing the incredible abuse Hodgson had to endure from his own supporters both during and after this week's UEFA Cup final when Inter were beaten on penalties by German club Schalke.

Along with first team coach Derek Fazackerley, Parkes went to Italy to watch the final and have detailed talks with the new boss about future plans for Rovers.

And he revealed exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph how the volatile Inter fans verbally abused the manager, threw missiles throughout the game and hurled bricks at Hodgson's car a couple of hours after the game ended.

Parkes was stunned by the reaction and admitted he had never seen anything like it in football.

"I suppose they are a hostile nation in football terms and the hostility in the stadium was unbelievable," he said.

"The noise they made when Inter scored was deafening but whenever anything happened during the game that they didn't like they started throwing things -- usually plastic water bottles. "It was certainly an eye-opener as far as I was concerned.

"Roy was clearly upset after the game and not just because of what happened when he substituted Javier Zanetti.

"Although I certainly didn't see any punches thrown by the player.

"The fans were throwing things at Roy at the end of the game and when he was driving us away from the stadium a couple of hours after the game two bricks hit the car windows.

"He had really wanted to leave the club with a major trophy but he also felt so much for the players and staff.

"I really felt for him because he hasn't exactly failed there. They have been in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, reached the final of the UEFA Cup, being beaten in both on penalties, and still have a chance of finishing second in the league to qualify for the European Cup.

"I wouldn't call that a bad record would you.

"We probably think things are bad in England but it's nothing like it is in Italy.

"Because of what he feels for the players and staff I wouldn't be surprised if he goes back on his decision and takes charge for the last two games.

"But I wouldn't be surprised either if he sticks with it.

"Only Roy can decide what he is going to do but I don't think anyone deserved to be treated the way he was after what he has achieved at Inter."

Whether Hodgson remains in Milan until the end of the season tomorrow week or not appears unlikely to make any significant difference to when he arrives at Ewood.

He is expected, either way, to take charge shortly before the players report back for pre-season training but he has been in constant touch with Rovers planning for the future.

And Parkes added: "It was obvious that he is really keen to bring success back to Blackburn."

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