Inter Milan’s chief executive says Cristian Chivu has already established himself as an all-time great on the Nerazzurri bench after adding the Serie A manager of the year award to a league and cup double.
The former Romania defender left Parma after a six-month stint as manager to return to Inter where he had previously spent seven years as a player and, more recently, led the academy.
Ahead of their final game of the domestic season at Bologna on Saturday evening, the Nerazzurri sit 13 points clear of deposed champions Napoli and celebrated winning their 10th Coppa Italia after beating Lazio in last week’s showpiece.
Inter CEO Luigi De Siervo described the 45-year-old’s achievements in his first campaign as “simply extraordinary” after he was named on Friday as best coach for the 2025-26 season, with Federico Dimarco winning best player and Lautaro Martinez named best striker after scoring 22 goals so far.
De Siervo said on inter.it: “Cristian Chivu’s season at the helm of Inter has been simply extraordinary.
“In his first year at the helm of a professional team since the start of the season, Chivu immediately demonstrated the winning DNA he possessed as a player, guiding his players to play solid yet proactive football, which led the Nerazzurri to finish the season averaging more than two goals per game and a margin of around 30 goals over the second-placed team.
“It took Chivu just 48 Serie A games as a coach to become Italian champion – second only to (Jose) Mourinho in the three-point era – and by adding the Coppa Italia to the Scudetto, he became the only manager to achieve this historic double in his first season at Inter.
“These numbers and records confirm Cristian Chivu’s rightful place among the great coaches of our Serie A.”
With the trophy celebrations having already taken place in Milan, Inter have reportedly stepped up their summer recruitment plans by making progress on a deal for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who played for the likes of Udinese, Cagliari and Empoli before leaving his homeland for London in 2023.
Bologna, meanwhile, are chasing a third straight win to end their season on a high note but seventh place and European football are beyond them as occupiers Atalanta are only three points away but possess the superior head-to-head record.
Winger Riccardo Orsolini sits on 10 league goals for the term after scoring in back-to-back matches – the wins at Napoli and Atalanta – to reach double figures for a fourth consecutive year.
