Italian Coaching Association President Renzo Ulivieri has praised Inter as they close in on the appointment of Simone Inzaghi, but hit out at Antonio Conte.

Despite leading the Nerazzurri to the Scudetto this season, Conte departed last week after a disagreement with President Steven Zhang over the future direction of the club, amidst plans to cut costs.

In an interview with Firenzeviola.it, Ulivieri argued that appointing Inzaghi made sense due to the former Lazio coach’s style, but was unimpressed with Conte’s conduct.

“The choice of Inzaghi was the most logical for Inter to give continuity to their style, but Conte surprised me more,” the ex-Bologna coach claimed.

“I have had great presidents like [Sampdoria’s Paolo] Mantovani and once I was not convinced of the upcoming transfer market, so he reminded me that he never intervened in my team selections. Therefore, I couldn’t tell him about his role,” Ulivieri added.

Conte joined Inter in May 2019 and earned a second place finish and a place in the Europa League Final in his first season, before ending the club’s 11-year wait for a Scudetto this term.

Inzaghi is set to arrive after five years at Lazio, during which he won the Coppa Italia and twice lifted the Supercoppa Italiana.