Simone Inzaghi departs Inter for Al-Hilal, Cesc Fabregas emerges as top Inter managerial target

The coaching landscape of European and Saudi Arabian football has been significantly reshaped with the official confirmation that Simone Inzaghi will leave Inter Milan after a successful four-year tenure to take over at Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal. The move, which sees the Italian manager reportedly net a substantial €25 million (net) per season, marks a pivotal moment for both clubs and sets the stage for an immediate high-stakes challenge at the upcoming Club World Cup. Inzaghi's Al-Hilal side is poised to become Real Madrid's first opponent in the prestigious tournament.

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Inzaghi's departure leaves a considerable void at San Siro. Over his 217 matches in charge, the Piacenza native consolidated his reputation as one of Inter's finest coaches in recent memory, boasting an impressive 65% win rate – the highest in the club's history across all competitions. His extensive trophy cabinet at Inter includes a coveted Scudetto (the 'Second Star' title), two Coppa Italia trophies, and three Supercoppa Italiana titles. Beyond the silverware, Inzaghi steered Inter to two UEFA Champions League finals (in 2023 and again just days ago) and fought for two Serie A titles down to the very last matchday, consistently proving Inter's competitiveness despite the delicate financial situation the club inherited.

In a heartfelt farewell letter, Inzaghi expressed profound dedication to Inter, stating, "Every day I dedicated my first and last thought to Inter." He thanked his players, staff, shareholders, the President, and collaborators for their unwavering support, emphasizing the "communion of intentions" that underpinned their triumphs. He highlighted the "six trophies conquered" and the Champions League journeys as tangible proof of their collective effort, concluding that the decision to part ways was a mutual one after a recent candid conversation.

With Inzaghi now embarking on his lucrative Saudi adventure, Inter Milan faces an immediate and pressing need for a replacement. With the Club World Cup approaching and the 2025-26 season on the horizon, the Nerazzurri management cannot afford to delay. Their swift hunt for a new head coach has identified Cesc Fabregas as the clear favorite to step into the formidable shoes left by Inzaghi.

The appeal of the former Spanish international is manifold. Inter's board views Fàbregas as an ideal candidate due to his youth, aligning perfectly with their desire to build a long-term project. Furthermore, his idea of play – proactive, with a big-team mentality, and a modern, offensive approach – has resonated deeply, proven by his remarkable achievement of guiding Como to Serie A after a 20-year absence, making them the revelation of the 2024-25 Italian season. Fabregas also fits Inter's ambition to enhance their youth academy, which, despite being one of Italy's best (Inter's U19 team were Serie A champions this season), has struggled with player transitions to the senior squad. Notably, at an average age of 29.3 years, Inter was Italy's oldest team this past season, making Fàbregas's youth-oriented approach highly appealing.

While Fabregas is the top choice, Inter is also considering other names, including Roberto De Zerbi (though he reportedly wishes to remain at Marseille) and Christian Chivu (currently at Parma and a former Inter U19 coach). Securing Fàbregas, despite being the ideal fit, is acknowledged to be a challenging endeavor. The coming days will be crucial as Inter navigates this high-stakes coaching carousel in the wake of Inzaghi's impactful departure.