Simone Inzaghi is at a crossroads in his unheralded managerial career. Yet he is guiding Inter Milan towards what could be a shattering Champions League win, a feat that would come to define his reign. Under Inzaghi, Inter have returned to the summit of European football for the second time in the last three years. This extraordinary accomplishment becomes just the fourth of its kind to successfully navigate a similar path in the past sixty years. His contract at the San Siro runs until the end of next season, but as summer approaches, discussions over his future are already well in progress.
Inzaghi is due to meet Inter’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta next week. They will be arguing about his contract and the club’s future trajectory. Inter still wants Inzaghi for the long haul, though. They are seemingly prepared to match any potential salary boost and provide even greater financial backing in the lucrative but notoriously insane transfer market. The success that Inzaghi has brought to Inter, coupled with the exciting brand of fluid counter-attacking football he has implemented, makes him a valuable asset for the club.
Inzaghi’s success is all the more impressive given the obstacles he faced. He had an incredible run, all the time overseeing player sales totaling more than £150m. That includes somber exits such as Achraf Hakimi to Paris Saint-Germain and Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. This means, despite these losses he has still generated a net profit of £100 million. This figure is the largest in Serie A and is just one example of his talent for resource maximization.
Inzaghi’s time in charge hasn’t come without its criticisms. Some have accused him of relying too heavily on players considered fringe or below-par, questioning whether he prioritizes competitions effectively. Despite his laudable accomplishments, he runs an embarrassing budget. As a two-time Champions League finalist and six-time domestic trophy winner, he’s earned better financial backing. Afterwards, there was criticism of his management based on a lack of signings. The most they spent on a single player was £25 million each on Davide Frattesi and Benjamin Pavard.
Indeed, it has now taken seven transfer windows for Inter to reinvest the money earned from player sales. This lack of immediate investment has created an untenable situation for Inzaghi to keep producing with occasionally bare cupboards. He has the most successful four-year record in team history. Even with the odds stacked against them, he’s managed to keep them in both their domestic league and European competitions.
The mood around the San Siro is electric as Inter gets ready for their first Champions League final in over a decade. Of course such an outcome would bring only glory, but it would make a big difference to Inzaghi’s long-term job prospects at the club. A first victory would be a huge relief and surely do wonders for the confidence of players and supporters alike. It would be a delightful farewell, should Inzaghi choose or be obliged to leave Inter.
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