Cristian Chivu Always Had Ability To Become A Top Coach, Says Zanetti

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti says Cristian Chivu’s rise to head coach fits what many inside the club expected, given past signs of leadership. Under Chivu, Inter sit top of Serie A after 16 matches,

while also staying competitive in the Champions League league phase, strengthening hopes of challenging on multiple fronts this season.

Chivu, aged 45, stepped up in the summer when Simone Inzaghi left before the Club World Cup. The former defender had already led several Inter youth teams, then gained first senior experience at Parma earlier this year. Those spells built the platform for Chivu’s promotion to the main role at San Siro.

Inter’s Serie A numbers under Chivu show consistent form and strong balance between attack and defence. The team have taken 12 wins from 16 league fixtures, losing four. Inter have scored 35 goals and conceded 14, giving an average of 2.25 points per match, which keeps the club just ahead of close rivals.

Im very happy and very pleased because I think Cristian deserves this opportunity. Even when we were team-mates, Cristian was a very intelligent player, Zanetti told Sky Sports. Now hes dedicated himself to coaching, and were very happy and pleased that hes managing our team. It was always clear he had the ability to develop as a coach.

Una squadra, un'anima pic.twitter.com/Ltxaxsk2FHInter (@Inter) December 29, 2025

After 16 Serie A rounds, Inter hold first place by a single point over AC Milan, underlining the narrow title race. In Europe, Inter currently stand sixth in the Champions League league phase, with two fixtures still to play, and therefore remain in a strong position to progress from that stage.

I see a very balanced season, especially in Italian football, because there are four or five teams separated by just one point, Zanetti said of their trophy odds. The important thing is that Inter always competes. And I think that applies whether Inter is playing in the Champions League or in Serie A. We always prove to be competitive, and that certainly brings you much closer to success.

Zanetti’s comments highlight Inter’s expectation to fight for every trophy while supporting Chivu’s long-term development. With league statistics backing Chivu’s impact and Champions League qualification still within reach, Inter’s leadership view this campaign as proof that the team, guided by a former defender, can maintain high standards across all competitions.