Inter Milan Appoints Cristian Chivu as Head Coach
Inter Milan has made a significant change in their coaching staff, announcing the appointment of Cristian Chivu as the new head coach. This decision follows the unexpected exit of Simone Inzaghi after a season that saw the team advance to the Champions League final, only to end in a disappointing manner. Chivu, who previously spent eight years as a defender for Inter, is set to lead the team for a two-year term, through 2027.
Chivu’s Coaching Background
At 44, Chivu brings an interesting trajectory to this role. Until recently, he was at Parma, where he started his first senior managerial stint in February. Despite taking on the reins of a struggling team positioned 18th in the league, he demonstrated his potential as a coach by guiding them to a respectable 16th place, thus avoiding relegation with a five-point cushion after 13 matches.
Chivu made a memorable mark at Inter as a player, being part of the historic team that secured the treble in 2010 under the management of José Mourinho, which included winning the Champions League. After retiring, he returned to the club initially as a youth coach and subsequently took charge of the Primavera team (under-20s) in 2021. Chivu has also played for prominent clubs such as Ajax and Roma and earned 75 caps for the Romania national team over his career.
Inzaghi’s Departure and Team Expectations
Before settling on Chivu, Inter had reportedly explored the possibility of bringing Cesc Fabregas from Como into the managerial position. Inzaghi’s departure comes on the heels of a season where Inter competed closely in Serie A, only to finish second to Napoli by a single point. Additionally, they faced tough competition in domestic cup tournaments, including a semi-final loss to rival AC Milan and a final defeat in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Inzaghi’s tenure, which began when he joined from Lazio in 2021, was marked by considerable success, securing every domestic trophy and leading the club to two Champions League finals, albeit without victory in either. Chivu now faces the task of rejuvenating the squad as he steps into the prestigious role, aiming to continue Inter’s legacy and success in Italian football.
