“I Wanted To Change My Way Of Thinking, My Style Of Play And Try New Things”

Written By Onyeka Daniel

It’s been less than two weeks since taking on the role of the coach of Saudi Pro League side, Al-Hilal and it’s now time to make Simone Inzaghi to make his debut after leaving Serie A giants, Inter Milan and he has now revealed why he left as he prepares to lead his new team.

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According to the 49-year-old, he claimed that he decided to leave to get out of his comfort zone as the former Lazio manager spoke ahead of his team’s Club World Cup group stage opener against Real Madrid. Despite winning at least a trophy in his four years stay, except for the last one, his exit was not without controversy.

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He left the Nerazzurri to join the Saudi club for a far superior financial offer.And there were reports of negotiations between the two parties for a number of weeks before he actually made the move official and the timing of Inzaghi’s exit made things particularly difficult.

This is because he had been guiding the club through an end to the season which saw them competing on all fronts. However, they ended up losing out on all available trophy (Coppa Italia, the Serie A title, and the Champions League) and he has now come out to reveal why he made the jump.

“Last season Jorge Jesus was the coach of Al-Hilal and the team had great players. I accepted the challenge and got out of my comfort zone after several years at Inter.”“I wanted to change my way of thinking,” said Inzaghi. “My style of play, and to try new things.”

“There was no other team that I would have liked to have coached. So I chose Al-Hilal.” He then continued on his new job, revealing that Al-Hilal “have passion and self-belief. We’re playing against Real Madrid. And we know that it’ll be a very tough match, but we’re ready for the challenge.” He concluded.

Meanwhile, despite reports that the Beneamata are furious at the comments from Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada, which confirmed that Inzaghi was stringing them along on contract talks, the club president has rebuffed that, but there is still a high chance that he tried to poach some Inter star too.

By this time last month, the club was confident to the very last minute that Inzaghi, who was still tied to a deal until June 2026 and in advanced negotiations to sign an extension with a raised salary, would remain with them. They were only reassured that he made the decision to move on later on.

That is after the 5-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, meaning it was the only season in his four at the club to end empty-handed. However, Al-Hilal chief Calzada told BBC Sport that he had already promised himself to the Saudi Pro League side.

“He was playing a massive match and asked [us] to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.” He said.

Italian media picked up the comments and there are reports of fury within the Inter hierarchy, who felt that Inzaghi was stringing them along when he had already made up his mind to leave. It also prompted concerns that the squad sensed he was no longer fully committed to the cause.

This may have contributed to their disastrous performance against PSG and there are even suggestions in Gazzetta dello Sport that Inzaghi was trying to talk Inter stars Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni into following him to Al-Hilal, even in the face of a reported pact that he won’t try to poach any Inter star.

Talks could’ve started as far back as April 29, when Inzaghi was in the stands for the AFC Champions League semi-final tie between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in Jeddah, but according to Beppe Marotta, they’ve moved on from the exit. The Nerazzurri President spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN before the game against Monterrey kicked off.

Marotta also refused to give anything away on the potential signing of Ange-Yoan Bonny as he gave his thoughts on Inzaghi’s departure. “The important thing is that one cycle has ended, and a new one has begun. I don’t run around after rumours, denials, declarations,” he continued.

“Everyone knows what [Inzaghi] did,” Marotta said. “We’re grateful to Inzaghi for what he gave us, but at the same time, Inter’s history goes on. And today we pass the torch to Chivu, and we’re very happy.” Meanwhile, Marotta also called reported Inter transfer target Ange-Yoan Bonny a “great player.”

Read Also: Just One Key Decision Left As Inter Announces Christian Chivu As Manager

“He’s on the list of players that the club are tracking, but he’s a Parma player. So at the moment I don’t have much to add.” He further added. The team will now look to their second game at the CWC when they face Japanese club, Urawa Reds at the Lumen field stadium in Seattle.

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