Cristian Chivu made history in his first season as Inter coach by winning both the Italian Serie A and the Coppa Italia, achieving the domestic double less than 12 months after his official appointment at the club.
Historic Achievement
The former Parma coach became the third ever coach in Inter's history to accomplish the domestic double, joining Roberto Mancini in 2006 and Jose Mourinho in 2010. After winning the 21st Serie A title last week, Inter defeated Lazio 2-0 in the Coppa Italia final.
The Nerazzurri's triumph is particularly remarkable, with only Juventus having more domestic doubles in Italian football history. Juventus last achieved the feat in 2018 under Massimiliano Allegri.
Contract Extension Coming
Both parties will sit down in the coming days to plan for the 2026-27 season and negotiate a new deal. The current contract runs until summer 2027, but both sides are expected to agree on an extension through at least 2028, along with a salary increase.
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta showed courage in appointing Chivu, who may not have initially inspired the fans or the squad, but ultimately proved to be the right man in the right place.
Transforming the Club
When Chivu arrived in Milan, it was a completely different moment for the club. At the end of the 2024-25 season, Inter had lost their chances to win a trophy and suffered a devastating 5-0 loss in the Champions League final against PSG at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Chivu had to restore the positive mentality in the team. Despite rumors of a revolution, the club chose to delay major decisions for another year. It was Chivu who made the remarkable turnaround possible, solidifying his credentials as the club's long-term solution.