Official: Chivu appointed new head coach of Inter | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu has been officially announced as the new head coach of Inter, just shy of a week on from Simone Inzaghi’s departure from the role after four seasons in charge.

Chivu replaces Inzaghi as head coach of the Nerazzurri on an initial two-year contract, which will run until the end of the 2026-27 season.

The 44-year-old rejoins the Nerazzurri after a four-month spell in Serie A with Parma, whom he guided to Serie A safety in the final weekend of the 2024-25 campaign. He has already bid farewell to his former club, who have also confirmed his departure.

VERONA, ITALY – MARCH 31: Cristian Chivu head coach of Parma calcio reacts during the Serie A match between Verona and Parma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 31, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Chivu spent the final seven years of his playing career in San Siro with Inter, and also began his coaching journey in the city of Milano, taking charge of the club’s U14s, U17s, U18s and the Primavera side between 2018 and 2024.

He then left to take charge of Parma in February of 2025, but has now returned to take on the first-team head coach role with the Nerazzurri.

Why Inter replaced Inzaghi

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Chivu’s arrival comes six days on from Inzaghi’s departure.

The former Nerazzurri tactician has since left to take over as the new head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Inzaghi left Inter three days on from a 5-0 hammering by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, at the end of an ultimately disappointing season for the coach and his squad.

Inter had been in contention for a treble in April, but were then knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the semi-final by rivals Milan, lost the Serie A title to Napoli by one point and then went on to lose 5-0 to PSG in the Champions League final.

Inzaghi left Inter four years to the day since his initial appointment, and left with one Serie A title, two trophies from the Coppa Italia, three from the Supercoppa Italiana as well as two Champions League final runners-up medals (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,” a statement on the club website read.

VERONA, ITALY – MARCH 31: Cristian Chivu head coach of Parma calcio reacts during the Serie A match between Verona and Parma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 31, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Cristian had already established himself as a defender who could also play as a full-back, but it was in the Netherlands that he completed his transformation. At Ajax, he refined his technical skills and, more importantly, trained his mind. It was a true footballing school for a young player on the rise.

“In 2001, Chivu became the youngest captain in Ajax’s history, a role reserved for someone with exceptional character and leadership qualities. During his time in Amsterdam, Cristian won a league title, the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup. After 142 appearances over four years, he made the move to Italy, signing for Roma in 2003. The Romanian spent four seasons in the capital, winning the Coppa Italia. Then came a turning point came in 2007: his transfer to Inter, a move that would change his life forever.

“During his seven-year spell as an Inter player, there’s one moment that speaks more about Cristian Chivu’s connection to the Club and its fans than any win, trophy or his 169 appearances and three goals for the Nerazzurri. On 24 March 2010, just 77 days after suffering a terrible skull fracture against Chievo in Verona, Chivu made his return to the pitch, wearing protective headgear.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Coutinho, Cristian Chivu and Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan celebrates after the first goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“That day marked a new beginning for Cristian, who only months earlier had almost lost far more than just his career. The Nerazzurri fans greeted his first, tentative header with a standing ovation – a feeling that was hard to put into words for Chivu. From then on, he played the rest of his career wearing his protective helmet, removing it only to celebrate titles and victories. In total, he won the Scudetto three times, two Coppa Italia titles, two Supercoppa Italiana trophies, the Club World Cup and the 2009/10 Champions League.

“At international level, Chivu captained Romania, earning 75 caps and taking part in the European Championship in 2000 and 2008. In 2014, his first chapter with Inter came to an end as he called time on his playing career. However, his Nerazzurri journey was far from over: in 2018, Cristian started his coaching career in Inter’s youth sector.

“Chivu’s adventure began with the U14s and continued with the U17s and U18s. In the summer of 2021, he took charge of the Primavera side – an important challenge and a big opportunity for such an ambitious person. In his first season, he led the team to a brilliant Scudetto title, the tenth in Inter Primavera’s history. At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, he left Inter.

“In February 2025, Cristian was given his first opportunity to coach a senior side as Parma, in danger of being relegated, came calling. He led the Emilians to safety, with the team picking up 16 points from 13 matches under his guidance.

“Now, Cristian Chivu is beginning the third chapter of his Nerazzurri story. And he’s doing so with the values that have always guided him: dedication, sacrifice and a tireless work ethic.”