Potential Replacements for Simone Inzaghi at Inter Milan

2 months ago, Inter had the chance to win a treble. Now Inter have ended the season trophyless. Following a humiliating 5-0 drubbing by PSG in the Champions League Final, Simone Inzaghi has left the club, joining Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia with a lucrative contract. Inzaghi leaves the club with the domestic record of 1 Serie A title, 2 Coppa Italia trophies, 3 Italian Super Cup trophies, while guiding Inter to 2 Champions League finals with a modest budget. His successor has a huge task ahead of him in filling the boots of Inzaghi. His successor must continue the success of Inter whilst being under financial constraints and wary of an ageing squad. We will take a look at who could take the potentially poisoned chalice.

Priority Target: Cesc Fabregas

One name that has emerged as a frontrunner for a managerial role in Serie A is up-and-coming Como tactician Cesc Fabregas, known for his decorated playing career. His maiden coaching season in Serie A culminated in a respectable 10th-place finish for newly-promoted Como. While inexperienced as a manager, his stellar playing career would command respect from the Inter dressing rooms. However, Como are determined to hold on to him, alongside previous declarations of Fabregas pledging his allegiance to Como next season, which makes him a challenging proposition.

Realistic Target: Cristian Chivu

Another intriguing option on the radar is former Inter Milan player Cristian Chivu. Prior to his appointment at Parma, Chivu managed the youth teams of his beloved Inter Milan, where he spent 7 seasons as a player. Chivu took a leap of faith, parachuting into struggling Serie A club Parma in February of this year, ending the season away from the relegation positions, finishing in 16th. His knowledge of the Nerazzurri as a player and coach makes him an appealing proposition. However, his lack of top-flight managerial experience may work against him.

Feasible Target: Patrick Viera

A manager with a stellar playing career like Fabregas, combined with a connection club like Chivu. Look no further than footballing icon Patrick Viera. Following a 4-year spell at the club as a player and his mixed managerial experience across the globe from NYCFC in the United States, Nice and Strasbourg in France, Crystal Palace in England and now his current stomping ground at Genoa, Italy. His current job may be his most impressive job to date. He steered Genoa away from the depths of the Serie A table, where they were before he joined midway through the season, finishing in 13th position. He would command respect from his legendary status as a player, however, his mixed managerial record is a cause of concern.

Dream Target: Diego Simeone 

World-class manager Diego Simeone is the dream candidate of the Inter Milan board. His 2 seasons at the club as a player and his terrific managerial record, including two Champions League final appearances for Atletico Madrid, draw parallels to Inzaghi's record of leading Inter to the final twice. Could Inter be the club for Simeone to finally get his hand on the Champions League trophy, and is Simeone the man to finally lift the trophy for Inter? It remains to be seen whether Simeone is willing to leave his beloved Los Colchoneros.

Gafferumours suggests: Domenico Tedesco 

Underrated Italian manager Domenico Tedesco may back himself for a chance at an elite club. Tedesco has an impressive managerial resume, boasting of leading Schalke to finish second in the Bundesliga, as well as guiding RB Leipzig to DFB Pokal glory. His most recent job was as head coach of the Belgium National team, where he endured mixed results. He led Belgium to an impressive 15-match unbeaten run; however, Belgium's mediocre Euro 2024 campaign may count against him. Tedesco has shown throughout his career the impressive ability to produce immediate results. Picking Tedesco would give him the chance to manage in his native Italy for the first time, as well as a chance in the limelight. Tedesco may be a short-term fix for Inter due to his short tenures at clubs, however, his track record could be perfect for Inter to maintain their desired status.

Third time the Charm?: Roberto Mancini

Decorated Manager Roberto Mancini's stock has taken a hit following his Euro 2020 triumph with Italy. After guiding Italy to glory, Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and lost the Finalissima. He took up the lucrative job as Saudi Arabia manager. However, an underwhelming performance in the Asian Cup, getting knocked out in the round of 16 by South Korea, led to a parting of ways. Mancini is no stranger to Internazionale, previously coaching them in 2 different stints. His first stint was notably more impressive. He led the Nerazzurri to 3 consecutive Serie A titles in his first stint. Mancini's potential 3rd stint would provide Inter with a safe pair of hands for the time being.

The Young Pragmatist: Francesco Farioli

Despite final day misery for Farioli at Ajax at the end of the season, it should not count against him. Ajax were 9 points clear at the top of the Eredivisie with 5 games left to play. Incredibly, Ajax bottled their 9-point lead with PSV winning the league on the final day. Despite their collapse, it must be acknowledged Farioli's improvement of teams. Farioli joined Nice at the start of the 2023/2024 Ligue 1 season, Nice had finished 9th in the league the previous season. Farioli led them to 5th in the league in his sole season in charge. Ajax had finished 5th in the Eredivisie in the 2023/2024 season prior to Farioli's appointment. Farioli led Ajax to second in his only season in charge, one point away from the title. Farioli has a trend in his last 2 jobs of immediately improving teams before falling off later in the season. However, Farioli is a young coach who has a lot to learn, but remains a pragmatic coach focused on winning over philosophy, an ideology similar to Inter's pragmatism under Inzaghi

Who else is linked?

Other candidates include Thiago Motta, another former Inter player whose reputation suffered a hit this season, after being sacked by Juventus. Nonetheless, his impressive work at Bologna must be remembered. However, his tactics are drastically different to current Inter tactics, and it remains to be seen whether Inter would take a risk in altering their style of play for a manager without consistent credentials. Other candidates include Raffaele Palladino (formerly of Fiorentina), Xavi (formerly of Barcelona), Imanol Alguacil (formerly of Real Sociedad) and Edin Terzic (formerly of Dortmund).