Romanian icon Adrian Mutu sang the praises of Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu in his latest interview.

Speaking on the GSP podcast “2 la 1” via FCInterNews, Mutu called his countryman ‘the pride of Romania.’

Widely considered as one of the most controversial figures in football history, Adrian Mutu rose to prominence at the start of the century.

Indeed, the former striker spent most of his professional football career in Serie A.

He first tasted Italian football at San Siro, joining Inter from Dinamo București in 2000.

However, he left the club after less than a year to join Hellas Verona.

Then, he moved to Chelsea in 2003, only to return to Serie A the following year with Livorno.

Stints at Juventus, Fiorentina, and Cesena followed before he definitely departed Italy in 2012.

Meanwhile, Cristian Chivu was also a standout Serie A star during his playing days.

Unlike his compatriot, the 44-year-old has continued to maintain his ties with the league in retirement.

Following an impressive managerial stint at Parma last season, he took charge of Inter in the summer.

Furthermore, he has transformed the Nerazzurri into a force to be reckoned with in his first few months in charge.

Adrian Mutu Praises Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu

Parma Cristian Chivu
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Cristian Chivu head coach of Parma calcio during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Chivu had three extraordinary months at Parma,” Mutu said. “He saved the team from relegation and achieved the objective.

“His path has always been oriented towards Italy.

“When I coached Rapid and took the team to the play-offs, no one asked me why I was there, and Chivu with Inter U16.

“Now that he is with the first team, everyone asks me about him as if we were brothers or rivals.

“His presence at Inter is positive for Romania. If he succeeds, it is also good for me and for all the coaches. I congratulated him. We talk often.

“Of course, I would have liked to be in his place. All coaches would like that. We’re talking about a Champions League finalist.

“I didn’t have the patience. I wanted to coach immediately. Chivu has built in Italy.

“He was in a different system.”

Adrian Mutu Hits Back at Walter Zenga Over Recent Cristian Chivu Criticism

Walter Zenga Inter Milan Legend
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Walter Zenga attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala on September 23, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Walter Zenga criticized Chivu over Inter’s back-to-back Serie A defeats to Udinese and Juventus last month.

“It didn’t bother me the criticism, but the way,” Mutu replied. “Did you see how they destroyed him after two defeats?

“Perhaps he was frustrated.

“At the second game he criticised, but on 5–0 at Torino I didn’t hear him. Let’s remember that Walter was also in Romania. I know what I’m talking about.

“You have no idea what it means to hear ‘gypsy’ from 70,000 people at the Olimpico when I scored two goals against Roma!

“You do not understand what Romanians abroad suffer.

“There is a nuance of racism, of superiority, that bothered me. When he says ‘the Romanian’, already that bothers me.

“Chivu has been in Italy for many years. He won the Champions League with Inter. I lived there for 15 years, I speak perfect Italian, I heard Zenga’s declaration well.

“That’s why I tell him to have a little respect, he is a legend of Inter as he is.

“And Walter is also half-Romanian, he has children with a Romanian wife.

“We, when we talk about Italians, we do so with admiration.”