Inter Milan has officially announced Cristian Chivu as the club`s new head coach. This appointment comes just under a week after Simone Inzaghi`s departure following four seasons in charge.
Chivu steps into Inzaghi`s role, signing an initial two-year contract that will keep him at the helm of the Nerazzurri until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
The 44-year-old manager returns to Inter after a brief four-month tenure in Serie A with Parma. He successfully led Parma to safety in the final weekend of the 2024-25 campaign. Chivu has already said his goodbyes to his former club, who have also confirmed his departure.
Chivu spent the last seven years of his playing career at San Siro with Inter. His coaching journey also began at the club, where he managed various youth teams, including the U14s, U17s, U18s, and the Primavera squad, between 2018 and 2024.
He left Inter to take over at Parma in February 2025 but has now returned to assume the first-team head coach position with the Nerazzurri.
Why Inter replaced Inzaghi
Chivu`s arrival follows Inzaghi`s departure by six days.
The former Inter boss has since moved to become the new head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Inzaghi left Inter three days after a significant 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. This result capped an ultimately disappointing season for the coach and his squad.
In April, Inter was in contention for a treble. However, their season saw them eliminated from the Coppa Italia semi-finals by rivals Milan, finish second in Serie A just one point behind Napoli, and then suffer the heavy loss to PSG in the Champions League final.
Inzaghi`s tenure at Inter concluded exactly four years after he was first appointed. His achievements included one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia trophies, three Supercoppa Italiana titles, and reaching the Champions League final on two occasions (in 2023 and 2025).
What Inter said about Chivu
“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,” read a statement on the club`s official website.
The statement highlighted Chivu`s journey, noting that he developed his technical skills and mental fortitude particularly during his time at Ajax, where he became the youngest captain. While in Amsterdam, he won a league title and domestic cups. He moved to Italy in 2003, joining Roma and winning the Coppa Italia before his pivotal transfer to Inter in 2007.
During his seven years as an Inter player, Chivu made 169 appearances. A memorable moment underscoring his connection with the club and fans was his return to play with protective headgear on March 24, 2010, just 77 days after a severe skull fracture. This marked a new chapter in his career; he wore the helmet thereafter, removing it only to celebrate victories.
As an Inter player, Chivu amassed an impressive trophy cabinet, including three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia titles, two Supercoppa Italiana trophies, the Club World Cup, and the historic 2009/10 Champions League title.
Internationally, Chivu captained Romania, earning 75 caps and participating in the European Championships in 2000 and 2008. He concluded his playing career in 2014, ending his first period with Inter.
However, his association with the Nerazzurri continued as he began his coaching career in Inter`s youth sector in 2018. He progressed through the U14s, U17s, and U18s before taking charge of the Primavera side in 2021. He successfully led the Primavera team to a Scudetto title in his first season, the tenth in the team`s history. He left Inter at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
In February 2025, Chivu received his first senior coaching opportunity when he took over at Parma, who were facing relegation. He guided the team to safety, securing 16 points from 13 matches under his management.
Now, Cristian Chivu starts his third chapter with Inter Milan. The club emphasizes that he approaches this role with the same core values that have defined him: dedication, sacrifice, and a relentless work ethic.
