The legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was the master of tearing down a victorious team and building a new one out of the rubble.
One of the managers linked with taking over from the current Old Trafford incumbent, Erik ten Hag, found himself under pressure to do something similar when taking over from a team who’s league title victory in 2021 arguably caused more harm than good.
Inter Milan certainly spent heavily in an attempt to end their decade-long wait for Scudetto glory. Too heavily, as it transpired. Beset by financial issues, the Nerrazzuri were forced to cash in on both Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku shortly after seizing the Serie A crown three years ago, eventually losing their talismanic head coach Antonio Conte too.
Simone Inzaghi, then, not only found himself under pressure to build his Inter house upon very unstable land, but to preside over a transformation of a side who, between 2021 and 2023, lost not only Hakimi and Lukaku but also Milan Skriniar, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and more.
Manchester United linked with Simone Inzaghi
The jubilant celebrations that followed Inter’s 2-1 victory over their bitter Rossoneri rivals on Monday night, then, was vindication for Inzaghi’s methods. The former Lazio boss channelling his inner-Fergie as he helped move on from the old era and towards a new one, constructing another title-winning squad while proving that no one – not only the prolific Lukaku – is irreplaceable.
Inzaghi, per TuttoSport, is one of the managers on Manchester United‘s radar, Ineos yet to make a decision on Ten Hag’s own future.
The 48-year-old Italian described those Red Devils rumours as ‘enormously pleasing‘ in March. But, as the weeks have gone on and as Serie A glory loomed into view, Inzaghi has sounded increasingly like a man determined to do what Conte did not, and ensure that Inter are not merely one-off champions but a team capable of dominating the domestic landscape for years to come.
Inzaghi’s father, Giancarlo, struck a similar tone when asked what his son has in mind for next season and beynd.
Inzaghi keen to defend Serie A title with Inter Milan
“Future in the Premier League? From abroad, I witnessed a bombardment that lasted several days,” Inzaghi Sr tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“But Inter remained in my mind. It is a club with serious people and there’s a good relationship (between Inzaghi and the bosses). There may have been a few clouds, but they are decent people and you couldn’t ask for anything better.
“And, in any case, (Inzaghi) costs dearly now!”
By our count, there have been at least 15 managers linked with the Man United job in recent weeks. 16, if you include Girona boss Michel.
Inzaghi might have been one of the most ‘proven’ candidates – he has a number of top-level trophies and a Champions League final appearance on his CV, after all – but while the Inter boss shares Conte’s penchant for silverware, he does not share his wanderlust it seems.