Cristian Chivu embraces pressure as Inter Milan head coach

Taking charge of Inter Milan means inevitable pressure, but Cristian Chivu has accepted the challenge despite limited experience as a first-team manager

Coaching Inter Milan comes with unavoidable pressure. Cristian Chivu knows this well, having accepted the Nerazzurri bench despite his first-team managerial experience being limited to just 13 matches.

Libero via Fcinter1908 defended the club’s decision and praised the Romanian coach’s work: “Cristian Chivu is not foolish, nor is he simply the ‘company man’ many think he is. He is an intelligent, pragmatic coach who, after using the Club World Cup to test something new, has taken what he believes to be the only path to achieve results: evolving Inter Milan step by step, without overturning the system just to assert himself.

“It is amusing that people demand an immediate revolution without considering two obvious factors. 

First, he does not have enough resources to do it; second, he will never have the time to dismantle and rebuild such a complex machine. He was already under fire after two defeats, and, according to several insiders, remains so even after consecutive wins against Ajax and Sassuolo.”

A young coach, not a caretaker: Chivu’s Inter Milan evolution

“With Chivu, appearances are deceiving. His 3-5-2 may look identical to his predecessor’s, but in reality, it is already different. Careful observers will notice a higher press, more direct build-up play, and a closer connection between the two strikers.

“He has been unfairly labelled a ‘caretaker’ when in truth he is the opposite: a young coach who must be allowed to mature. 

With due proportion — as Inzaghi also started with more benches in Serie A — it is a similar story. The difference is that Chivu is a product of Inter Milan’s youth system, proudly highlighted by Marotta, just like Pio Esposito, whom Chivu has been courageously fielding. Tonight, Pio will face an unprecedented family derby against his brother Sebastiano.”