Simone Inzaghi has left Inter Milan by mutual consent and is widely expected to take charge of Saudi giants Al Hilal.
Following a meeting with Inter officials on Tuesday, Inzaghi decided the time was right to leave the Nerazzurri. His final match was Saturday's 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Champions League final.
After four seasons, Inzaghi, 49, leaves behind a trophy-filled legacy at Inter. During his tenure, the Italian guided the club to a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia trophies, and three Supercoppa Italiana triumphs. They twice reached the Champions League final. Renowned for his tactical ingenuity and exceptional man-management skills, Inzaghi is the favourite to fill the vacancy at Al Hilal following Jorge Jesus' sacking last month.
Should he take on the job, Inzaghi's first official match in charge will be a high-profile clash against Real Madrid at the Fifa Club World Cup on June 14.
What led to his departure?
Results can alter perceptions. On Saturday evening, Inzaghi's Inter Milan suffered the ignominy of the heaviest ever defeat in a European Cup final.
In a season where Inter were chasing a treble, they finished with no trophies and plenty of regrets. Italian media and pundits were scathing in their analysis of a side that was built to win but that fell at the final hurdle.
Just getting to the final was an achievement in itself. But despite the club’s cost-cutting, limited squad depth and ageing stars, such is the nature of football; success is celebrated as a collective effort, but in defeat, it's often the coach who becomes the scapegoat.
He may have finished his final season without a trophy, but that owed more to the club’s overambition than any personal failure on Inzaghi's part.
What can Inzaghi bring to Al Hilal?
A master of man-management, Inzaghi has earned widespread praise for cultivating a cohesive, squad where players consistently raise their level. Meticulous in his preparation and deeply attentive to player relationships, Inzaghi is often credited with unlocking the full potential of those under his guidance.
“His secret is that sometimes he still thinks like a player, so he understands us really well and lives things the way we do," said Inter captain Lautaro Martínez. “With Inzaghi, I feel like I’ve grown to an even higher level.”
Marcus Thuram echoed this sentiment: “He’s given me a vision of football where everything you do is meant to achieve something.”
Known for his quiet discipline off the pitch, Inzaghi transforms into a fiery presence on the touchline, wildly gesticulating to spur his team forward.
Inzaghi’s success
An immodest Inzaghi once said: “Wherever I go, revenues increase, losses decrease, and trophies arrive.”
The stats certainly back up those claims. Antonio Conte, Inzaghi’s predecessor, recorded a win rate of 62.75% during his two seasons at Inter, averaging 2.11 points per game. He led the team to a Serie A title in his second year, backed by substantial investment that saw the club post a net spend of €169 million over that period. Key signings such as Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi were brought in to strengthen the squad.
In contrast, Inzaghi took over from Conte amid a period of financial uncertainty. The club was forced to sell several key players, and transfer spending was drastically reduced. Under his tenure, Inter recorded a net profit of €114m in transfers. More importantly, Inzaghi oversaw a sharp rise in revenues, guiding the team to two Champions League finals that generated over €300m for the club.
On the pitch, he averaged 2.15 points per game across four seasons – surpassing Conte’s rate – and achieved a higher overall win percentage.
At his previous club Lazio, Inzaghi gradually developed a competitive squad, culminating in a final season where they led the Serie A table up to March 1, 2020. However, following the league’s suspension due to Covid and subsequent restart, the team faltered and ultimately finished fourth.
Nonetheless, under Inzaghi, Lazio won the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppas. They have not won a trophy since.
Tactics
Inzaghi’s tactical approach blends structure with purposeful attacking play. It’s a style of football rooted in control that goes beyond mere possession.
Inzaghi favours direct vertical play. Transitions are seamless, allowing the team to shift from defence to attack in a matter of moments, often catching opponents unbalanced.
His sides look to move quickly through midfield, exploiting gaps behind the defence with sharp, incisive passing and intelligent forward movement. This calculated approach makes Inzaghi’s sides difficult to defend against.
His wing-backs are crucial, often tasked with advancing into wide attacking zones, stretching opposition lines. Defensively, his teams maintain a compact, resilient shape. The 3-5-2 morphs into a 5-3-2 when defending, with wing-backs dropping deep to support a solid central block that’s tough to penetrate.
Inzaghi’s philosophy is that his team always adapts to the moment. At times, they press aggressively, eager to win back possession; at others, they are content to drop deep and concede the ball. This confidence in shifting their approach is one of Inzaghi’s defining hallmarks.
Conclusion
Al Hilal can expect a meticulous, detail-driven manager with a strong desire to win.
How Inzaghi adapts to life in the kingdom remains to be seen. He has neither coached outside Italy nor speaks Arabic. But throughout his career, Inzaghi has consistently risen to every challenge.
Given their disappointing 2024/25 season, in which they finished second and won no trophies, Inzaghi could be a perfect fit.
Spec%20sheet
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AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
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2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
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if you go
The flights
Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.
The tour
Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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