Inter Milan unveil Champions League winner as new head coach following Simone Inzaghi exit

Inter Milan have confirmed the appointment of Cristian Chivu as their new head coach on a two-year contract.

The 44-year-old takes the reins at San Siro following the exit of Simone Inzaghi, who departed for Al-Hilal after the Nerazzurri's embarrassing 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Chivu heads back to Milan following a brief spell as Parma boss, taking charge of the Crociati in February and guiding them to Serie A safety with a 16th-placed finish last season.

Parma announced Chivu's departure earlier on Monday, though, and just a few hours later, Inter unveiled the former Romania international as their new boss.

"FC Internazionale Milano is pleased to welcome Cristian Chivu as the new head coach of the First Team. The Coach has signed a contract with Inter until 30 June 2027," a club statement read.

"Cristian Chivu is beginning the third chapter of his Nerazzurri story. And he’s doing so with the values that have always guided him: dedication, sacrifice and a tireless work ethic."

Chivu and Inter: The unbreakable bond

Chivu and Inter's affection for one another runs deep; it has been nearly two decades since the 44-year-old was first employed by the Nerazzurri, joining from Roma in the summer of 2007.

The defender had already achieved modest success with the Giallorossi and Ajax, but he conquered the country, the continent and the planet while sporting the black and blue strip.

Most notably a member of Inter's 2009-10 Champions League-winning squad under Jose Mourinho - starting in the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the final - Chivu also claimed a Club World Cup, three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias and two Supercoppa Italianas at San Siro.

Competent in a variety of positions but achieving his best results as a left-back or centre-back, Chivu played 169 games for Inter before hanging up his boots in 2014, after which he rose through the ranks as a youth manager for the Nerazzurri.

The Romanian led Inter's Primavera side to the Italian title in the 2021-22 season, and his first stint as a senior head coach with Parma saw him mastermind statement victories over Juventus and Atalanta BC earlier this year.

What Chivu may lack in top-level coaching experience, he makes up for in a deep-rooted knowledge of and love for Inter Milan, who have both European and domestic wrongs to right next season after agonisingly losing the Serie A title to Napoli.

Written by
Ben Knapton