Revealed – Why Inter Milan Picked Cristian Chivu Over Patrick Vieira After Fabregas Pursuit Failed | OneFootball

Inter Milan chose Cristian Chivu as their new coach over Patrick Vieira due to tactical continuity.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan are on the verge of appointing Cristian Chivu as their new coach.

Reportedly, the 44-year-old former Nerazzurri defender and youth team coach will leave Parma and sign a two-year deal.

Chivu was not necessarily Inter’s Plan A after the departure of Simone Inzaghi. Rather, the Nerazzurri had worked to try and appoint Como coach Cesc Fabregas.

However, the Spaniard will instead be staying at the Lariani next season.

Inter Milan Choose Cristian Chivu Over Patrick Vieira For Tactical Continuity

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 17: Genoa coach Patrick Vieira looks on ahead of the Serie A match between Genoa and Venezia at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 17, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Reports suggest that Inter Milan would have been willing to make significant changes in order to hand the keys to the team over to Cesc Fabregas.

The 38-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder prefers a back four system to a back three.

However, once it became apparent that Inter weren’t getting Fabregas, they had a couple options.

One was Genoa coach Patrick Vieira. However, the Nerazzurri did not go with the Frenchman, preferring Chivu.

And according to the Gazzetta, the primary reason for this is that Inter believe that Chivu will not disrupt the team too much.

Moreover, there is the fact that Chivu spent several seasons coaching the Nerazzurri’s youth teams. He was the Primavera or Under-19 coach for three years, while Inzaghi was the senior coach.

Therefore, Chivu was able to closely observe the former coach. And this group of players.

Accordingly, Inter believe that the Romanian will keep the existing balance, and is therefore a less risky appointment.