Esteve Calzada, the boss of Al-Hilal, has made headlines with statements regarding new coach Simone Inzaghi. And apparently also caused consternation at Inter Milan.
Simone Inzaghi has gone down in recent Inter Milan history as a successful coach, there’s no question about that. Between 2021 and 2025, the 49-year-old won a Scudetto in Serie A, two cup victories and also reached two Champions League finals. Even if those two finals against Manchester City (0-1) and Paris (0-5) were lost.
However, his departure is increasingly leaving a bitter aftertaste to his long spell at Inter.
Statements before the CL final a lie?
Inzaghi himself finally said around the time of the Champions League final against PSG, when rumors of an early departure were already circulating, “I have offers from Italy, abroad, and Saudi Arabia.” However, he wanted to focus fully on the Champions League and the title, which was still possible at the time, before making a final decision. “The day after, we will talk to the club owners, as we have always done.”
Now, however, Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has made the following statement to BBC Sport, casting his new coach Inzaghi in a bad light, especially in the Milan camp: “He had an important game ahead of him at the time and asked us to put the matter aside.” According to Calzada, the Italian had already given his final commitment to take charge of Al-Hilal from the summer and even from this Club World Cup. “Everything had been decided, just not signed before the final because he asked us to wait out of respect.”
