Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi on Lazio Departure: “It Was Time for a Change”

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi spoke about his new adventure and his departure from Lazio.

Speaking to gathered reporters at a press conference alongside Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta earlier today (via LazioNews24), the 45-year-old Italian coach first discussed his new adventure in Milan.

There is a great enthusiasm in this new adventure, I have great motivation and I know that there is an important job ahead of me.

I was immediately convinced by Zhang, Marotta and Ausilio, who showed great motivation in wanting me.

We are aware that we will find a strong squad. The fans are warm and I know that they will be with us throughout the season.

Inzaghi commented on his emotions following on from his departure from the Biancocelesti.

This change is the motivation that they gave to me. I found people here at Inter who made me understand that they wanted me at all costs.

I know there will be difficulties because we will have the Scudetto on our chests to defend, we will do everything to defend it and I take this opportunity to congratulate the club, Conte and the guys.

The Italian coach looked ahead to his future return to the Stadio Olimpico.

I wrote my thoughts in that letter. They have been twenty-two very intense and important years, I thanked everyone.

I had a great time, I was lucky enough to win as a player and as a coach, I couldn’t ask for anything better. But it was time for a change.

He touched on being re-united with former Biancocelesti defender Stefan de Vrij.

I’ve spoken to everyone, that’s my job, it’s a pleasure to meet him again but also Kolarov and Handanovic who I played with. I will have a great relationship with everyone.

Inzaghi discussed the interest from Juventus in him in recent years.

In recent years there have been offers, I won’t deny it, but it wasn’t the moment to change because at Roma we were working in the best way.

This year it was time and when Inter came along I didn’t think too much about it.

The 45-year-old Italian touched on his decision not to renew his contract with Lazio.

I think that in life you have to make choices, I will always thank Lotito, he was a great president with great ideas, a cycle had ended.

I had dinner with him, then I took some time to decide and, in the morning, I decided to make a change and, with great fairness, the president was the first person I informed.

Finally, Inzaghi spoke about the pressures of being a coach in Rome.

I have to tell the truth, Rome was a good training camp, there are pressures everywhere. Whoever does this job has daily pressures, I like challenges otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted this one.

I know that I will have the support of the club, I know that we will encounter difficulties because it will be a long season with many teams that will try to put a spanner in the works and there we will have to be good and compact, trying to come out even stronger from these difficulties.


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The 45-year-old Inzaghi left Rome after five years in charge of the Lazio squad in order to join the Nerazzurri.

Despite his long-standing history with the Biancocelesti, the nature of his departure from the club has soured things a little.


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The coach had reached a verbal agreement with president Claudio Lotito over dinner, before changing his mind the following day and deciding to join Inter instead.

Lotito used Inzaghi’s departure as an opportunity to start a new project and so hired former Juventus and Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri as his replacement.

Tags Biancocelesti Inter Inzaghi Italy Lazio Serie A Simone Inzaghi