Tag: Simone Inzaghi

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by “mutual agreement”, the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.

 “The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said in a statement.

Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday’s  afternoon.

The parting came just days after Saturday’s 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Talk had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumours about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.

Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed. Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026.

The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title – Inter’s 20^th  – and two Italian Cups. He led the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.

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On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophy-less after falling away in each competition.

In its statement, the club said Inzaghi’s management was “characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication”.

His trophies had “brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football”, it said.

Marotta thanked him “for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today’s discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths”.

 “Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,” he said.

In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: “I will never forget you.”

Simone Inzaghi said his side believe they can beat Barcelona tonight , but warned they must stop “quick thinker” Lamine Yamal if they are to reach the Champions League final.

Yamal starred as Barça came from behind to draw 3-3 in the first leg of their semifinal at the Olympic Stadium last Wednesday, leaving everything to play for when the two teams meet again at San Siro in Milan this week.

“We need to keep him away from the ball, but it’s impossible,” Inzaghi told a news conference when asked if he has come up with a plan to stop the Spain international.

“Whether that is a double marking job or one player following him closely, we will try to always pay attention to him. He’s such a great talent at 17 years old.

“Seeing him live, he’s so dangerous. Everyone gives him the ball. What impressed me was his speed of thought, he’s such a quick thinker. Even before receiving the ball, he always knows what move to make.”

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Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is one of the players who may be tasked with stopping Yamal. He first faced the teenager with Italy at last summer’s European Championship, which Spain won, and he has been impressed by his improvement since then.

“I think so,” Bastoni told Sky Sport when asked if Yamal is the best player he’s ever come up against.

“I had faced him at the Euros and he wasn’t quite at this level yet. I was impressed by how much he has improved.

“I’ve played against many top players and in terms of age and that ability to create something, he’s one of the best, if not the very best.”

Despite the threat of Yamal and his strike partners Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, who has been passed fit to play against Inter after missing Barca’s last four games, the Serie A side are optimistic of reaching the final.

They have home advantage in the second leg and recovered from three defeats in a row to show they can match the LaLiga leaders in Barcelona last week.

“We are up against a strong team, we have had a taste of that first-hand in the first leg,” Inzaghi added. “But I hope to see a great Inter against Barcelona. We know the importance of this game.

“It will take a huge performance. We need to be switched on and clearheaded. The group believes in their ability to win this game and can’t wait for it.

“There’s just the right amount of tension. It’s almost a final and we get to play it in front of our fans.”

Inter have no new injury concerns having made 10 changes for the weekend’s 1-0 Serie A win against Verona, which kept them within three points of leaders Napoli, but they are sweating on the fitness of defender Benjamin Pavard and striker Lautaro Martínez.

Pavard has missed the last two games with an ankle issue, while Martínez went off at half-time in last week’s draw with Barça.

“Pavard did part of the session [on Sunday] and the feelings were good,” Inzaghi said. “Lautaro has been out for a week, so we will see how he is and see what decision we make tomorrow.

“With Lautaro, it will all depend on how he feels. But it will be difficult for a player to help us for 25 minutes if they’re not ready to start the match.”

Simone Inzaghi was  last night named Coach of the Year at the Gran Galà del Calcio and committed his future to Inter. ‘I hope to remain here for a long time.’

The ceremony is the Italian version of the PFA Awards, with the votes coming from the members of the Italian Players’ Association (AIC).

As expected after dominating the Scudetto race last term, Inter also featured heavily in the nominees and winners this evening.

With little surprise, Inzaghi was named Coach of the Year, although Gian Piero Gasperini was a contender after taking Atalanta to the Europa League triumph, while Thiago Motta was nominated for his Bologna exploits before coming to Juventus.

“Of course, I am very happy to receive this award, especially getting it from Luciano,” said Inzaghi after it was presented to him by Italy coach Spalletti.

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“I want to first of all share this award with my players, as it would not be possible without them. I also share it with my club, which ensured we had everything needed at our disposal, and to the fans who always support us.”

Few coaches rotate the squad better than Inzaghi, who also currently has Inter second in the Champions League table and still unbeaten.

 “There are instruments we use to check the physical fitness and how much each player has run. There are many games, all close together, so we try to adapt to this situation.”

Inzaghi has been linked with a potential Premier League move in recent months and was reportedly approached by Manchester United last year.

Does he feel that he has been under-estimated as a coach in Italy?

“I feel very much appreciated by Inter and I was at Lazio too, a club that was my life for 20 years as player and coach. I am very happy at Inter and hope to remain for a long time.

 “We coaches know that we are judged on a daily basis and with every decision that we make.”

When it comes to his knowledge of the game, Simone Inzaghi admits having an older brother in the sport like Pippo helped.

 “From an early age, me and Filippo had the Gazzetta dello Sport in our hands.”

Inter Milan will try to hog the ball against an Arsenal side hungry for victory after a three-game Premier League run without a win, the Serie A club’s manager Simone Inzaghi said ahead of their Champions League meeting tonight.

Arsenal have not won in the league since their 3-1 home victory over Southampton on Oct. 5, which was followed by away defeats by Bournemouth and Newcastle United either side of a 2-2 draw at home against Liverpool.

“We all know how the big teams react after a defeat, look at us after the derby… You find teams out for redress,” Inzaghi told his  press conference. “I saw the match between Arsenal and Newcastle. Playing at Newcastle’s home is not easy but it was an open and fascinating match. We will find a team that lost two-and-a-half days ago, they will want to play a great game at San Siro.”

Inter lost 2-1 to visiting AC Milan late in September then went on to win seven games and draw one across all competitions after what was their only defeat so far in the campaign.

Despite their recent domestic hiccup, Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in Europe’s elite club competition as both teams sit on seven points in the standings.

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“We are facing one of the best teams in Europe, very recognisable with a great coach,” Inzaghi said. “If you see Arsenal among 100 teams, without knowing the name, you recognise them. They played for the last two English titles point for point with Manchester City.

“We will have to try to keep the ball as much as possible, we know that we are facing a team that put on a lot of offensive pressure. We know that it will be a problem for us when they have the ball but the opposite is also true.”

Asked if he enjoyed the competition’s new format, with the group stage replaced by a 36-team league phase from this season, the Italian coach said it posed a bigger challenge.

“It’s much more difficult for us coaches, even for the players,” Inzaghi said.

“Before, we prepared for six games against three opponents, so until February you concentrated on three teams, it was easier. Now you have to think about eight different games.

“Before, after the first three games, you had the standings in your head, while now you know the positions and how many points could be needed, but then maybe the placing get decided on a goal scored or conceded.

“It’s probably a more fascinating group, more entertaining, but also more difficult. The spectacle increases but it’s more demanding.”