Cristian Chivu Establishes Leadership At Inter Milan After Navigating First Real Crisis | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu has firmly established his leadership as Inter Milan coach after navigating his first real crisis at the club.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Cristian Chivu took over as Inter Milan coach right around one month ago.

The Romanian arrived in the wake of Simone Inzaghi’s shock departure after the Champions League final.

It would be fair to say that the situation that Chivu inherited was a chaotic one. However, it had not quite boiled over into a crisis yet.

But that would change quickly.

Cristian Chivu Esablishes Leadership At Inter Milan After First Real Crisis

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

At the Club World Cup, Cristian Chivu had the opportunity to start to remodel the team tactically.

The 44-year-old took charge of a total of four matches with the Nerazzurri.

However, it was after the last of those four matches, a surprise 0-2 loss against Fluminense, that the atmosphere shifted.

There were some positive signs in Chivu’s first three matches in charge in the group stage. And a feeling that there was a grace period for the inexperienced new coach.

However, after the loss to Fluminense, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez completely lost his cool, all but calling out Hakan Calhanoglu over transfer rumours, and threatening to throw the dressing  room into crisis.

This led to plenty of upheaval behind the scenes.

But according to the Gazzetta, Cristian Chivu took this as an opportunity to assert control.

The Romanian had been walking on eggshells a bit before then, naturally. However, he needed to use both a firm hand and a fair bit of tact to deal with the squad after Martinez’s outburst.

Now, the Gazzetta reports, Chivu finds himself in firmer control.