Sacchi: ‘I can’t say’ Inzaghi’s Inter journey ‘was a success’

epa12148025 Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi yells and gestures during the UEFA Coppa Campioni final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano, in Munich, Germany, 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI

Arrigo Sacchi argues that Simone Inzaghi’s Inter journey wasn’t a success as the Italian tactician ‘lacked the decisive step forward.’

Inzaghi left Inter by mutual consent on Tuesday. The Italian tactician won six trophies in four years at the Stadio Meazza and reached the Coppa Campioni Final twice.

Inzaghi is set to sign a € 25 m-a-year contract with Saudi side Al-Hilal, getting a signing bonus of at least €4m.

Sacchi tells Inzaghi: Following money ‘not always right’

“It seems clear to me that money played a decisive role in this story. I’m not sure that following the scent of money is always the right choice. Only time will tell whether it was the right move,” Sacchi told Gazzetta.

“The Nerazzurri gave him a lot, allowing him to play in two Coppa Campioni Finals, which is no small thing. This isn’t the best moment for the club environment after the blow against PSG.”

Inzaghi won Inter’s 20th Serie A title in 2023-24, but failed to retain the title in 2024-25, seeing Napoli lift the Scudetto for the second time in three years.

“Let’s examine the results: four seasons and only one league title, despite consistently fielding the strongest squad, featuring many high-level and highly paid players,” Sacchi continued.

Sacchi: Inzaghi’s Inter spell ‘not a success’

“Two Coppa Campioni Finals, but both lost. The last one was in a traumatic fashion. I can’t say the journey was a success, even though I have to admit that since he arrived from Lazio, Inzaghi has grown a lot as a coach; what he lacked was the decisive step forward.”

Inter lost their first Coppa Campioni Final under Inzaghi against Manchester City in 2023, while the second one was just a few days ago and resulted in the biggest defeat in a major European Final against PSG.

Sacchi has clear ideas about where Inzaghi should have done more at Inter.

“Not much in terms of results, but in terms of the style of play,” he concluded.

“Ultimately, it’s the style of play that leads to success. He remained halfway, raised in the Italian tradition, about defence and counterattack. He tried to become more European, but never quite made it.”

The Nerazzurri have identified Cesc Fabregas as their primary target for the bench, but the Spaniard is under contract with Como, so Inter must negotiate with his club.