2 days ago
Inter Milan has officially confirmed the appointment of Cristian Chivu as its new head coach, locking him into a twoβyear contract through June 2027. The announcement marks the return of the Romanian defender-turned-coach to the Nerazzurri, following a highly successful period at Parma and a distinguished youth record at Inter .
Chivu, aged 44, is no stranger to San Siro. He donned the Inter jersey from 2007 to 2014, playing a vital role in their treble-winning season under JosΓ© Mourinho in 2009β10. After retiring in 2014, he embarked on a coaching career within Interβs youth academy from 2018 to 2024, culminating in leading the Primavera side to a Scudetto in 2022 .
His first senior coaching role with Parma, which began in February 2025, showcased his talent for stabilizing struggling teams. Over 13 matches, Chivu guided Parma to safety β accruing 16 points and steering them clear of relegation, an outcome deemed impressive given the clubβs precarious position .
Inter faced a difficult period, culminating in a 5β0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Simone Inzaghi resigned on 3 June 2025, leaving the club without a trophy last season despite previous successes in Serie A . Chivuβs appointment signals a strategic recalibration: youthful, defensive solidity paired with tactical continuity reminiscent of Inzaghiβs era .
Chivu will receive an annual base salary of approximately β¬2.5β―million, with performance-related bonuses tied to club objectives .
His immediate challenges include spearheading a significant summer squad overhaulβrumored to involve new signings like Rasmus HΓΈjlund and Nico Pazβand focusing on youth promotion, including Parisβtrained Leoni, who thrived under Chivu at Parma . Moreover, Interβs upcoming participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, starting 17 June in Los Angeles against Monterrey, followed by fixtures in Seattle, presents a first competitive test for Chivuβs leadership .
When asked about his vision, Interβs president, Giuseppe Marotta, underlined the blend of βexpertise, planning, experience, and many other qualitiesβ that Chivu bringsβqualities deemed essential to the projectβs success .
Chivuβs appointment isnβt only a nostalgic nod to his playing legacy but a decisive move toward a project blending defensive resilience, youth integration, and tactical progressionβa chapter suitably titled βthe third Nerazzurri story.β Fans will be watching closely as he embarks on this ambitious journey, aiming to restore Interβs place among Europeβs elite.
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