Inter Milan appoints Giovanni Martusciello as Chivu’s assistant coach

Giovanni Martusciello joins Cristian Chivu’s staff as assistant coach for the 2025/26 season, bringing vast experience to the Inter Milan bench

Inter Milan has decided who will be the assistant coach for the upcoming season. 

The announcement comes from La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908.it, as preparations resume tomorrow under new head coach Cristian Chivu.

"Today, the 44-year-old Romanian coach's staff was finalized: Martusciello will join him immediately at Appiano Gentile and will travel to California on Wednesday for the Club World Cup. 

The role of assistant coach, the last missing piece, will be filled by Giovanni Martusciello.

The 53-year-old from Ischia was under contract with Salernitana until June 30, 2026. After a long stint as Maurizio Sarri’s assistant, Martusciello decided not to follow the Tuscan coach in his return to Lazio.

Martusciello’s return to Inter Milan: experience, continuity and familiar faces

Interestingly, Chivu’s new right-hand man already knows the Nerazzurri environment: in 2017, he joined Luciano Spalletti’s staff at Inter Milan before reuniting with Sarri at Juventus two years later. 

Inter Milan have chosen to pair Chivu with a highly experienced coach, well-regarded throughout Italian football.

Mario Cecchi, Inzaghi’s former tactical coach who did not follow Simone to Saudi Arabia, will remain on Chivu’s staff — providing a crucial link between Inter Milan’s recent past and future. 

Angelo Palombo, who worked with Chivu at Parma, will continue as a technical collaborator.

There is particular curiosity around the fitness coach: Stefano Rapetti returns, having been with José Mourinho’s Inter Milan and more recently worked with the Portuguese coach at Roma and Fenerbahce. 

In short, a happy return to Inter Milan’s past.