Leader, psychologist and friend: How Inzaghi became a top coach and brought Inter back to the top

Inter is the champion of Italy again. For the Nerazzurri, the title is under number 20, which means they will put another star on their shirts, but Simone Inzaghi can boast of champion status for the first time.

How did Inter’s triumph come about this season? How did Inzaghi achieve it? What lies ahead for the Nerazzurri and their coach?

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On May 23, 2021, Inter were crowned Serie A champions for the 19th time after beating Udinese 5:1. Three days later, there were rumors of a breakup with Antonio Conte, and they were confirmed in the evening.

Conte’s reasons for leaving seemed strange at the time. The Italian specialist had brought Inter’s first title in 11 years. Subsequently, it became clear how dire the club’s financial situation was.

Inter could not invest the funds that Conte wanted and could not bring in the players that the coach had targeted. That is why the former national coach decided to leave the championship team, even without a specific offer from another club.

At the time, CEO Beppe Marotta had two options. The first and priority was Massimiliano Allegri. Inzaghi was then seen as a backup option.

Max Allegri was the favorite for the job, but he was also more expensive – both in terms of salary and investment requirements. At the time of the negotiations, Allegri had been out of work for two years, but was already ready for a return and his name was linked with interest from Juventus and Real Madrid.

When Allegri turned down Real and chose Juve to be closer to his family, who live in Turin, Inter turned to Inzaghi. He offered him double the salary he was getting at Lazio, which convinced Simone to switch Rome to Milan.

Inzaghi was #2 on the list, but he proved to be perfect for Inter. At first, the former striker decided not to make drastic changes from what Conte had built. He kept the game plan and much of the starting line-up, then began a smooth transition.

His other big plus was his experience operating on a tight budget, as he did for five years at the Olimpico, where they took the parting with Inzaghi hard.

In 2021, president Claudio Lotito said he would never stop Inzaghi from developing, but after it became clear the coach was leaving Lazio for Inter, he commented: “I’m disappointed. His new contract was ready, I had even signed it. And he opted out at the last minute.”

In his first season at Giuseppe Meazza, Inzaghi continued Conte’s project. He made no drastic changes and Inter continued to play well enough to win the Italian Cup and Supercoppa.

Management was pleased with Simone’s debut season performance.

In his second season, Inzaghi introduced a new philosophy. The team began to suffocate their opponents with a high press and bombarded the penalty area with incessant crosses.

It didn’t take long for the Nerazzurri to adjust to the new style. At the end of the season, Inter once again finished with both domestic trophies and played in the Champions League final, where they lost to Pep Guardiola’s mighty Manchester City.

During the third season, Inter’s game turned into a real symphony. Inzaghi managed to raise the team’s game to a new level. The leaders, like Lautaro Martinez, also played even better and the result was not late.

An early exit in the Champions League will hardly dampen the joy of the 20th.

In Italy they write that the bosses of Inter have set a goal for Inzaghi when he was recruited – winning the title after two or three seasons. And after exactly three years, Simone did it, and maybe even fulfilled the plan.

In the dressing room and in his overall work at the club, Inzaghi has the reputation of being an extremely non-confrontational personality. The coach has a perfect relationship with all his players and with each of the leading factors of “Giuseppe Meazza”.

His nature is very reminiscent of that of Carlo Ancelotti. Even in the way he answers slightly more provocative questions. On one such, which was assigned to him – to single out his classier players, Simone refused to do so, so as not to bring discord into the dressing room.

Before being a tactician, Inzaghi was a psychologist and pragmatist. He is a diplomat who creates a calm working and non-conflicting working environment. That’s why everyone loves him. He is not only a coach but also friends with the biggest figures in the dressing room like Lautaro and De Vrij.

As a man, he is firmly planted on the ground and weighs in place. Inzaghi was considered one of the candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but those close to Inter claim that the Italian is so used to the pace of football in the Calcio and the life of the Boot that he has no intention of leaving the country.

Inzaghi lived in Rome for almost 20 years, after which he decided to go to Milan. Three years later, his family has already put down roots in the city.

His son, Lorenzo, trains at Inter’s academy, and his wife, Gaia Lucariello, opened a boutique in downtown Milan selling designer handbags. The couple has already opened a kindergarten for their younger son – Andrea.

“It’s incredible how quickly we settled in the city. In general, Simone does not feel comfortable in new places. Even when we are on vacation – she says about her husband Gaia. – We felt at home in Milan already in the first hours after our arrival. “

Photo: Getty Images

As calm as he is in his communication with the players and bosses, even Inzaghi has moments that get him out of control.

“I remember when Romelu Lukaku left the club for the first time – says his father – Giancarlo. – Then for the last time I felt a little more emotion in him.”

Lukaku had promised Simone to stay at Inter, but a week later he wanted to return to Chelsea. The Italian failed to convince the striker and in his first season Inzaghi was forced to play without the team’s top scorer from the previous championship season.

At the start of his second season, Inzaghi came under heavy criticism, but managed to persevere. “I’m surprised that he didn’t break because he was attacked from all sides. Simone proved that he is a man of character – something that many of us lack,” Inzaghi Sr. also commented on the difficult autumn of 2022.

A year earlier, Inzaghi was asked about his championship ambitions. At that time, he was the coach of Inter for only a few months, but the Italian did not hide that he dreams of leading the Nerazzurri to the 20th title.

“Of course, I want to become a champion – that’s why I came to Inter – he answered then. – But at the same time, I want us to develop so that success does not depend on the individual qualities of a few players. I also want to develop so that I can help the team grow. That’s my big goal.”

And Inzaghi managed to carry out all his plans. From the reserve option, Simone managed to prove himself as a top specialist, and now he can boast of a championship medal.