Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio insists that Cristian Chivu has always been the club’s first choice to replace Simone Inzaghi.
During an interview with Marco Nosotti via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri chief reiterated his trust in the 45-year-old manager.
Cristian Chivu returned to San Siro as a first-team coach last summer after a brief stint at Parma.
Indeed, Inter chose the Romanian tactician to replace Simone Inzaghi, who left Serie A to take over Al-Hilal at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, everyone had thought that Inter had hired Chivu only after Cesc Fabregas turned them down.
In reality, the runaway Serie A leaders have always preferred their former defender over the highly-rated Como manager.
Furthermore, Chivu has repaid the club’s trust this season, as he is on the verge of winning the Scudetto in his debut campaign at Giuseppe Meazza.
With only 12 games left to play, the Nerazzurri sit comfortably ten points clear of second-placed AC Milan.
Inter Milan Chief Piero Ausilio Reiterates Trust in Cristian Chivu
“I definitely have great respect for this coach,” Ausilio said. “He’s young, doing well, and will surely have a brilliant career. Inter was never close to Fabregas – the first to know that was Chivu.
“When we faced the choice of Inzaghi, we put some ideas on the table, and Chivu’s was the one we believed in the most for a thousand reasons. He’s an incredible guy -he was as a player, he is now as a man, and also as a coach.
“We were fortunate to have known him in the youth sector; the choice of Parma was courageous – credit to the management and to him. That risk has now brought him to Inter.
“He has always been our first choice; we went straight for him, and we’re extremely happy with the decision.”
Ausilio then commented on Lautaro Martinez, one of his best signings ever.
“I remember that period perfectly,” he added. “It was also a difficult time for Inter. We had a match against Crotone, and I decided to try the impossible. He seemed inclined to join Atletico Madrid.
“The risks of failing were high, but I took the chance, and with Milito’s help, I succeeded. It was a very advantageous deal; it didn’t cost more than €20 million. We had even closed it for less.
“However, that evening he scored three goals, so we had to sit down and negotiate again. Today, after many years, he is our captain and a true asset for football. In a negotiation, you first need to convince the player.
“In Lautaro’s case, we started by satisfying the club first.”
Inter Milan Chief Piero Ausilio Lists Other Top Deals
“A player I’ve always had in my heart is Kovacic,” Ausilio continued. “I also brought Bonucci to Inter when he was playing for Viterbese; he wasn’t a fully established player at the time. We signed him for the Primavera, and he then went on to have an incredible career.
“I also think of Pandev, but also of the current players. Thuram was a great signing considering the quality of the player, but also players who arrived on free transfers like Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, De Vrij, and Acerbi, who then became protagonists in Inter’s recent successes.
“People always say free transfers don’t pay off because you can’t resell them, but sometimes the performances on the pitch repay you. We were in a rebuilding phase; there was a change of ownership, but the project was winning.
“You can finish first, second, lose a final, but the important thing for Inter is to always be there. We started with Spalletti, and with him we returned to the Champions League; that was the big step we needed, we had been absent for years.
“Then we returned to winning ways with Conte, reached a Europa League final, and with Inzaghi we consolidated as winners. Free transfers brought quality both on and off the pitch, professionalism, and experience.”
Finally, he delivered his verdict on Hakan Calhanoglu’s arrival in 2021.
“At Milan, he had found himself in a particular situation,” Ausilio claimed. “We had the serious problem of Eriksen, and within 48 hours we seized the opportunity. Today, we are happy to have him and to enjoy him still.
“Last year, we finished second, one point behind Napoli. Credit to them because it’s right to acknowledge the strength of your opponent. But we played, and I say this with a certain pride, 23 more matches.
“When you essentially play an extra round compared to your competitor, it’s normal to lose some energy here and there. These aren’t excuses, but factors to keep in mind.”
I can see why we are getting worse. All these poor decisions.
Someone commented that we are getting worse. Can a brother help with some medicine.
And pls bring glasses too.
Now the facts:
Two years ago at the same time of the season we had the same advantage in the league…left europe at pretty much the same stage and we were already out for the cup. Put the second star and continued.
Now there is the real prospect of a domestic double while rebuilding (pio, bonny, susic and luis have played all season). Davide and thuram, acerbi and sommer are on the way out.
Chivu took the next step and still delivered so far.
A little request for some of the fans here. Yes we lost a game. Move on. We lost from lazio in the last 45 mins of the league and from first went 3rd. We lost to helsingborg, 0-6 to mulan, finals with city and psg. Sevilla and atletico. Roma 2-6 at some 1/2 for the cup.
Move on. Its just a loss and we’ll be back next year to try again.
Chivu will not change the whole team in one year. Neither will beppe.
Prepare for more of miki and darmian. This is not a video game. Change happens slow. Andy will be a much different player year two. So will luis.
Buying this and buying that. All the players that lack the morale to play for this club. Tonalli?? Really? With his history and background? Why not rabiot or vlahovic? Maybe pogba on a free transfer?
There are things behind the curtain that go hand in hand with football and the shake between toro and hakan in the summer with pavard and thuram taking a side led to some disjoint in the room. Yet we sit strong at the top. Most teams would crumble. Also cuddos to chivu training methods and physical coaches. Other team got hit hard with injuries while we had it better. Considering our players are not just nationals. There are starters and a 90 full min nationals.
There are many aspects that make me believe we are going in the right direction. One early exit from europe with a young coach will not change my view of the great work that is being done by the management.
Now time for a visit to the stadium before they tear it down. We should all go one last time.
Inter will be champion this year. And with the smallest tweaks(not a revolution)…small tweaks…they will come back even stronger next season.
Then we’ll maybe see a change in formation that favours some of the so called “underperforming” players.
If there is one thing i want to see next year…is one chivu that is one year more tackticly inteligent and delivering something new to the playing style that would take a whole season for the rest of the league to figure out.
Simone did that with dima and denzel cutting inside..sandro and pavard going wide…hakan and niko defending.
Which made the man marking overload with two extra bodies in the box. Needed quality delivery from the “new” wings. It worked. Countles wins with 4 goals scored in succession around the start of 2024.
So thats what i want from chivu. Something new. The old ways deliver. But only just. Even barsa got figured our after some time.
Lets hope for a massive win vs genoa and then its time to book a place in the coppa final.
Forza Inter
Stay possitive
Stay positive.. Thanks Niko..
Positive but also be critical when need be. Thats what a true fan is