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Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio insists that Cristian Chivu has always been the club’s first choice to replace Simone Inzaghi.
During an interview with Marco Nosotti via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri chief reiterated his trust in the 45-year-old manager.
Cristian Chivu returned to San Siro as a first-team coach last summer after a brief stint at Parma.
Indeed, Inter chose the Romanian tactician to replace Simone Inzaghi, who left Serie A to take over Al-Hilal at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, everyone had thought that Inter had hired Chivu only after Cesc Fabregas turned them down.
In reality, the runaway Serie A leaders have always preferred their former defender over the highly-rated Como manager.
Furthermore, Chivu has repaid the club’s trust this season, as he is on the verge of winning the Scudetto in his debut campaign at Giuseppe Meazza.
With only 12 games left to play, the Nerazzurri sit comfortably ten points clear of second-placed AC Milan.
Inter Milan Chief Piero Ausilio Reiterates Trust in Cristian Chivu
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 20: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano attends a press conference ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“I definitely have great respect for this coach,” Ausilio said. “He’s young, doing well, and will surely have a brilliant career. Inter was never close to Fabregas – the first to know that was Chivu.
“When we faced the choice of Inzaghi, we put some ideas on the table, and Chivu’s was the one we believed in the most for a thousand reasons. He’s an incredible guy -he was as a player, he is now as a man, and also as a coach.
“We were fortunate to have known him in the youth sector; the choice of Parma was courageous – credit to the management and to him. That risk has now brought him to Inter.
“He has always been our first choice; we went straight for him, and we’re extremely happy with the decision.”
Ausilio then commented on Lautaro Martinez, one of his best signings ever.
“I remember that period perfectly,” he added. “It was also a difficult time for Inter. We had a match against Crotone, and I decided to try the impossible. He seemed inclined to join Atletico Madrid.
“The risks of failing were high, but I took the chance, and with Milito’s help, I succeeded. It was a very advantageous deal; it didn’t cost more than €20 million. We had even closed it for less.
“However, that evening he scored three goals, so we had to sit down and negotiate again. Today, after many years, he is our captain and a true asset for football. In a negotiation, you first need to convince the player.
“In Lautaro’s case, we started by satisfying the club first.”
Inter Milan Chief Piero Ausilio Lists Other Top Deals
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“A player I’ve always had in my heart is Kovacic,” Ausilio continued. “I also brought Bonucci to Inter when he was playing for Viterbese; he wasn’t a fully established player at the time. We signed him for the Primavera, and he then went on to have an incredible career.
“I also think of Pandev, but also of the current players. Thuram was a great signing considering the quality of the player, but also players who arrived on free transfers like Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, De Vrij, and Acerbi, who then became protagonists in Inter’s recent successes.
“People always say free transfers don’t pay off because you can’t resell them, but sometimes the performances on the pitch repay you. We were in a rebuilding phase; there was a change of ownership, but the project was winning.
“You can finish first, second, lose a final, but the important thing for Inter is to always be there. We started with Spalletti, and with him we returned to the Champions League; that was the big step we needed, we had been absent for years.
“Then we returned to winning ways with Conte, reached a Europa League final, and with Inzaghi we consolidated as winners. Free transfers brought quality both on and off the pitch, professionalism, and experience.”
Finally, he delivered his verdict on Hakan Calhanoglu’s arrival in 2021.
“At Milan, he had found himself in a particular situation,” Ausilio claimed. “We had the serious problem of Eriksen, and within 48 hours we seized the opportunity. Today, we are happy to have him and to enjoy him still.
“Last year, we finished second, one point behind Napoli. Credit to them because it’s right to acknowledge the strength of your opponent. But we played, and I say this with a certain pride, 23 more matches.
“When you essentially play an extra round compared to your competitor, it’s normal to lose some energy here and there. These aren’t excuses, but factors to keep in mind.”