Simone Inzaghi's bitter exit from Inter Milan sparks controversy

The coach’s departure to Al Hilal was long in the making, casting a shadow over Inter Milan’s Champions League final

Simone Inzaghi and Inter Milan officially parted ways yesterday, but the writing had been on the wall for some time. 

According to Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908.it, the split was not only anticipated—it was also poorly managed by both sides.

Rumors had long swirled that Inzaghi had reached an agreement with Al Hilal well before Inter Milan’s Champions League final in Munich.

The Italian newspaper accuses Inzaghi of choosing Saudi Arabia days in advance, claiming that by Sunday, May 25th in Riyadh, the deal was already sealed. 

Eyebrows were raised during the pre-match press conference when Nicolò Barella, asked about his coach’s future, reacted with a knowing smirk. 

The timing has led many to wonder if the team’s humiliating 5–0 defeat against PSG was partially due to a lack of focus stemming from locker-room certainty over Inzaghi’s impending departure.

From Media Day evasions to final collapse: a messy goodbye

Publicly, Inzaghi handled the situation poorly. At the Monday media day before the final—facing 200 journalists from around the world—he gave evasive answers: “I have offers from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, but we’re only thinking about the final. We’ll meet afterward, as always, with Inter Milan’s best interest in mind.” 

According to Saudi sources, Inzaghi met with Al Hilal representatives the very next day. Whether that happened before or after he told the press, “At Inter Milan, I have everything I need,” remains unclear.

The truth emerged only after Inter Milan’s crushing defeat, during the post-match press conference when Inzaghi was asked whether he would coach at the Club World Cup. His response: “I can’t confirm that…” finally unveiled what had long been suspected.

After four intense years, six trophies, and nearly €300 million (£252.8 million) in debt reduced thanks to European success, many feel this chapter deserved a better ending—not just on the pitch, but in how it was handled behind the scenes. 

Instead, Inter Milan’s season ended in a storm of poor communication, unclear leadership, and a lingering sense of betrayal.