George Clooney’s best friend “knew” his relationship with Elisabetta Canalis wouldn’t last.

The actor – who recently ended his two-year romance with the Italian beauty – was introduced to the TV presenter by Manuele Malenotti, who admits he never expected the pair to have a long-term future because George is so determined not to marry again or have children.

Manuele said: “I have known George for ten years. Of all the actors I know in Hollywood he is the one I see the most and we have done lots of charity work together.

“I know about their relationship because I was the one who got them together. George wanted to meet Elisabetta and he asked me to make the introductions.

“I did as he asked but inside I always knew that it wouldn’t last – to be honest I was expecting it. You will have to ask them for all the specific reasons.

“All I can say is that George, when it comes to love, has decided that he is not going to get married again and he is not going to have any children and he won’t change his mind.”

Manuele also criticised speculation that George, 50, and 32-year-old Elisabetta’s relationship was a publicity stunt designed to cover his true sexuality, insisting the pair had a very “intense” romance.

He added to Italy’s Chi magazine: “To suggest it was a publicity stunt is a lie. I introduced them, I saw them together and I can say that their love story was very intense. In two years they shared numerous moments.

“I can also tell you that I have known George for ten years, I have spent a lot of time with him and a lot of women have passed through his life. You never know in life, and men are having an identity crisis but I can tell you George is not gay.”