Inter Milan to Bid Farewell to Treble Hero: Lack of €20 Million Derails Plans to Emulate Juventus and Real Madrid

Multiple sources have confirmed that Inter Milan’s youth team coach Cristian Chivu will be leaving at the end of the season. The former Inter captain Samir Handanović is a potential replacement, although his return remains uncertain and awaits further confirmation. However, Chivu's departure seems imminent. At 43 years old, the Inter treble winner is set to embark on a new journey, taking on the challenge of managing a senior team elsewhere.

After retiring from Inter Milan in 2014, Chivu worked with the Romanian Football Federation and had a stint with UEFA. His deep affection for Inter Milan led him to return to the club in 2018, even before he had obtained the UEFA A coaching license. Initially, he was appointed to coach Inter's U14 team. In 2019, after completing his coaching qualifications at the Coverciano training center in Florence, Chivu was promoted to coach Inter's U17 team. He steadily rose through the ranks and, in 2021, became the head coach of Inter’s highest youth level, the U19 team, where he has worked ever since.

Now, at 43, Chivu feels it is time to pursue opportunities as a head coach of a senior team. Over the years, Italian media and fans who admire Chivu have proposed three possible paths for his future.

Potential Future Paths for Chivu

The Stramaccioni Model

One option is to wait for an opportunity to step in as an interim manager for Inter's first team should the current head coach face a crisis. If successful, he could continue in the role; if not, the experience would still bolster his resume, making it easier to secure a head coaching position elsewhere. However, with Simone Inzaghi currently thriving at Inter and enjoying high esteem, such an opportunity might not arise in the short term.

Accepting External Offers

Another path is for Chivu to leverage his success with the youth team to secure a head coaching role with another club. After leading Inter's U19 team to a championship in 2022, he received several offers from professional teams but felt it was not the right time. This season, with Inter’s youth team performing well and currently sitting second in the league with 34 points from 17 matches, Chivu has garnered more interest, including from top Romanian clubs. He now believes the time is right to make the move, provided he can finish the season on a high note with his current team.

The Original Plan: Leading Inter’s U23 Team

The third possibility aligns with Inter’s original plan when they brought Chivu back. The idea was to establish an U23 team, akin to Juventus' model, and have Chivu lead it in Italy's Serie C (third division). The U23 team would serve as a direct feeder to the senior squad, similar to the B teams of Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, this plan has been stalled primarily due to financial constraints exacerbated by the pandemic.

Financial Hurdles

Inter’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta has previously addressed why the club has not established a second team in Serie C. He cited three main challenges:

1. Stadium Issues: An U23 team requires a different stadium from the senior team. Juventus’ U23 team, for instance, rents the Stadio Giuseppe Moccagatta. Finding a suitable stadium near Milan has proven difficult for Inter.

2. Opportunity: Establishing an U23 team in Serie C requires an opening, typically when another team withdraws due to financial issues. This situation is not always predictable.

3. Financial Constraints: Inter would need around €20 million to establish and maintain an U23 team in Serie C, including significant one-time fees such as registration costs. The club also needs to invest in a new training facility for the youth teams, which was part of the pre-pandemic plan but has since been shelved due to financial difficulties.

The Impact of Chivu’s Departure

Chivu’s departure is a bittersweet development for Inter. The club had envisioned him as the first coach to lead an Inter U23 team into professional football, thus cementing his legacy not only as a treble-winning player but also as a significant figure in Inter’s modern history. However, with the club currently unable to finance the project, this dream has been postponed indefinitely.

When Inter brought Chivu back to the youth setup in 2018, the intention was to have him progress through the ranks and eventually lead an U23 team, creating a direct pipeline of talent to the senior squad. Unfortunately, financial realities have forced a reassessment of these ambitions. Chivu, understandably, cannot wait indefinitely for this opportunity to materialize.

Looking Ahead

As Chivu prepares for his next chapter, Inter Milan faces the challenge of maintaining its youth development momentum without one of its key figures. His departure underscores the financial difficulties the club faces and the broader implications for its long-term strategic plans.

Chivu's journey from a revered player to a promising coach reflects his dedication to the club and the sport. While Inter's current financial situation limits immediate possibilities, Chivu’s potential success with a senior team could eventually lead him back to Inter in a more prominent role. His legacy at Inter is already significant, and his future endeavors are likely to further enhance his reputation.

For Inter, the hope remains that financial stability will return, allowing them to pursue ambitious projects like the U23 team. Until then, the club must focus on maximizing its resources and continuing to develop young talent within its existing framework.

Chivu's departure may mark the end of a chapter, but it also signals the beginning of new opportunities for both him and Inter Milan. His journey will be closely followed by fans and the football community, eager to see how this treble hero transitions to the next phase of his career.