Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is facing an increasingly uncertain future at the club after a period of mixed form and the Nerazzurri have already begun considering replacements, with Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Roberto De Zerbi linked.
As reported in Tuttosport (via TMW), Inzaghi is likely to be dismissed at the end of the season after struggling to challenge for the Serie A title, with nine league defeats already this term seeing the club trail leaders Napoli by 21 points.
Indeed, it is suggested that his future is dependent on Inter making significant progress in the Champions League, as they prepare for a quarter-final clash against Benfica next month.
Should the Nerazzurri be eliminated by the Portuguese club, then Inter would consider sacking him one year before the expiry of his contract, despite a costly compensation package of €5.5 million being required.
Inzaghi‘s departure would likely see the Biscione narrow down their shortlist of candidates to De Zerbi, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, and Bologna‘s Thiago Motta, with dream target Antonio Conte‘s return to the club after two years away deemed too expensive.
Roberto De Zerbi – Brighton
De Zerbi has caught the eye of numerous clubs in Serie A after an excellent debut season at Brighton, whilst Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to be considering him to replace Conte.
The former Sassuolo coach made his name at the Neroverdi with an attacking and energetic style, earning him a move to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021. However, he left the club following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and took over from Graham Potter at Brighton last September.
Since then, De Zerbi has led the Seagulls to seventh place in the Premier League so far and the FA Cup semi-finals.
De Zerbi has impressed with his tactical prowess, leading Brighton to comprehensive wins over Liverpool, Chelsea, and West Ham United since taking the helm.
Vincenzo Italiano – Fiorentina
Another name linked with the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza is Italiano, with the Fiorentina tactician seemingly ready to make the step up after two years at the Viola.
The 45-year-old established himself at Spezia, romping to the Serie B title in 2020 before comfortably keeping the Ligurian club in the top flight the following season and earning a move to Florence.
Italiano has endured a mixed season this year though, with the Viola struggling for consistency in Serie A and seeing a bright start drop off to leave them in ninth place, although they are enjoying an impressive Europa Conference League campaign. They seem on course for a top-half finish in Serie A.
Thiago Motta – Bologna
The third man under consideration by Inter is someone who is familiar with the Nerazzurri, with former midfielder and current Bologna coach Thiago Motta linked with a return to the Stadio San Siro.
The Brazil-born former Italy international joined Inter from Genoa in 2009 and made 83 appearances for the club, winning the Serie A title and the Champions League.
Motta has impressed since being appointed by Bologna in September, with a win rate of over 43%, including a recent victory over Inter, whilst he kept Spezia in Serie A last season.
However, the 40-year-old remains inexperienced as a coach and would represent a considerable risk if Inter were to decide on him as Inzaghi‘s replacement.
