Antonio Conte would not be the first Inter coach to leave the club in a blaze of glory, a report in the Italian media highlighted today.
Tuttosport’s print edition noted the Nerazzurri had not been able to savour some of their recent triumphs, because they were soured by coaches departing immediately afterwards.
Inter’s UEFA Champions League victory in 2010 was followed by Jose Mourinho leaving for Real Madrid, shortly after Diego Milito had cast doubts over his own future in a post-match interview on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch.
Roberto Mancini also left straight after a title two years previously, when he led Inter to the 2008 Serie A title despite knowing he would be sacked by Massimo Moratti.
In the season following Inter’s treble, Rafael Benitez won the FIFA Club World Cup and was then dismissed after calling out Moratti for not keeping his promises in the transfer market.
Six months later, the Nerazzurri’s interim boss Leonardo won the Coppa Italia – Inter’s last major trophy until this year’s Serie A title – and immediately left to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Conte will meet Inter president Steven Zhang for talks after tomorrow’s Derby d’Italia at Juventus, and everyone at the club is hoping he will not add to this most curious of Nerazzurri traditions.
