The Key to Inter Milan Avoiding a Repeat of Conte and Mourinho’s Departures: More Than Just Fending Off European Giants or Offering a Pay Raise

When Chinese investors took over Inter Milan, Zhang Jindong declared that their goal was to dominate Serie A and conquer Europe. If Inter secures their second league title in four seasons, this objective will be close to realization. The second goal, while partially achieved through consistent Champions League knock-out stage appearances and last season's run to the final, still requires more. The team's decision to offer a massive €13 million bonus for winning the Champions League this season is not due to overflowing wealth but because they believe in aiming high, dreaming big, and having the ambition and courage to touch the sky. These words—dreams, ambition—are central to the biggest challenge Inter faces: renewing Simone Inzaghi’s contract and avoiding a repeat of the departures of Antonio Conte and José Mourinho.

The Challenge of Retaining Simone Inzaghi

Recent reports from both English and Italian media suggest that Inzaghi has attracted interest from several European powerhouses, with Liverpool already making concrete moves. However, Inzaghi's preference, influenced by family, work, and lifestyle factors, seems to be staying at Inter, potentially extending his contract until 2027. La Gazzetta dello Sport is optimistic about the renewal, believing that the only hurdle is the salary increase, a problem they consider manageable. Given Inter’s current situation, spending a few extra million euros to retain their coach is clearly more sensible than risking a change for the sake of saving a small amount of money. However, other media outlets like DAZN are more cautious, pointing to some of Inzaghi's recent statements.

When asked if he would like to become “Inter’s Ferguson,” Inzaghi responded by saying he focuses on the present and doesn’t think too far ahead. After the last match against Genoa, Inzaghi said, “My renewal? I will sit down with the club at the end of the season to evaluate Inter’s situation over the past three years.” Importantly, he emphasized evaluating the “three years” rather than just this season. Hence, many Italian media outlets and renowned journalists point out that the key difficulty in retaining Inzaghi lies not in the pay raise but in maintaining stability and creating better conditions for achieving success.

The Financial Realities and Strategic Considerations

Over the past three seasons, Inter’s financial struggles have added significant challenges to Inzaghi’s tenure. According to Transfermarkt, Inter’s net transfer investment over these three seasons totals -€174 million. In the 2020-21 season, Inzaghi inherited a team whose coach had just left after winning the title and had to sell players to balance the books. It was one of the most turbulent periods for Inter in years, both on and off the field. This was far from easy for a coach coming from Lazio who had never managed a true giant club.

This season, Inter underwent a significant overhaul with 12 players in and 12 players out. Although only a few key players left, such as Ivan Perisic, and most departures were rotational players, replacing half the squad inevitably increased the coach’s workload and difficulty. Changing to a coach who relies on a rigid system and a few key players would have posed a significant risk. The second year under Inzaghi, dubbed the “Inzaghi second year,” was the least turbulent and the only season with a positive net transfer investment. During this season, Inter achieved their best Champions League performance in 13 years, despite losing key players like Perisic and several rotation options.

Italian media suggest that after three stormy years, what Inzaghi wants to discuss most with the club’s top management this summer is not about signing expensive players but maintaining the squad's stability, avoiding the loss of core players, and preventing another situation where players are sold to raise funds or undergo a massive overhaul. This stability is crucial for the team’s competitiveness in pursuing honors next season.

Inzaghi’s Ambition and Career Prospects

For any professional, the ultimate goal is to achieve both fame and fortune. For a coach like Inzaghi, who is in his prime, winning more trophies to elevate his reputation is the top priority. This ambition may influence his decision to stay more than any salary increase. According to journalists like Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, next season, due to increased revenue from the Club World Cup and other factors, Inter won’t be under immense pressure to sell players to balance the books. However, as repeatedly emphasized, “not proactively selling” does not mean “not selling at all.” Serie A is currently a “transit league” for European football talent, and Inter’s financial issues cannot be ignored. If a “monster bid” arrives, Inter will see it as an opportunity rather than a disaster.

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has repeatedly stated that the club must accept the current situation and openly discusses it. Therefore, Inter might not be able to guarantee Inzaghi that no key players will be sold. They can only promise to balance economic and competitive demands, ensuring that any departures will be offset by suitable replacements and that the management will support the coach as much as possible.

The Historical Context and Future Outlook

Inter's history is filled with many coaches who have made significant contributions to their trophy cabinet. However, if we set two conditions: managing over 100 games and achieving a win rate above 60%, only four coaches fit the bill in Inter’s history. Apart from “ancient times” coach Arpad Weisz, the other three are Inzaghi, Mourinho, and Conte. Both Mourinho and Conte left immediately after winning major titles, which is a historical regret. As Inzaghi edges closer to etching his name into Inter’s history with another potential league title, the club hopes to avoid a repeat of this story.

Inzaghi's success has not come easily. His adaptability, tactical acumen, and ability to manage the team through financial difficulties have earned him respect and admiration. His potential departure would be a significant blow, not just because of his coaching abilities but because of the stability and continuity he represents.

Maintaining Stability: The Key to Retention

To prevent a repeat of the Conte and Mourinho scenarios, Inter must prioritize stability. This involves not just financial investment but creating an environment where Inzaghi can continue his work without the constant threat of losing key players or undergoing major squad overhauls. It also means aligning the club’s ambitions with realistic financial and competitive strategies.

The Role of Zhang Kangyang and Marotta

Zhang Kangyang and Marotta face a challenging task. They must ensure that the club remains competitive while navigating financial constraints. Their ability to balance these demands will be crucial in convincing Inzaghi to stay. The upcoming return of Zhang Kangyang to Milan will be an opportunity to discuss these issues in depth and find a viable path forward.

In the broader context of European football, where financial powerhouses constantly eye top talents and coaches, Inter’s ability to retain Inzaghi will be a testament to their strategic vision and operational acumen. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards are even higher.

As the season progresses, Inter fans will be hoping that their club can provide the necessary conditions for Inzaghi to continue his successful tenure. The story of Inzaghi at Inter is still being written, and with the right moves, it could be a long and prosperous chapter in the club’s illustrious history.