Inter Milan have appointed Cristian Chivu as their new head coach, replacing Simone Inzaghi after a disappointing end to the season.
Chivu, a former Inter defender, confirmed his exit from Parma on Monday before returning to his old club in a new role. He had helped Parma escape relegation from Serie A after taking over as head coach in February.
“I thank the club, staff, players and fans for having believed in me and our project. Together we overcame obstacles and wrote a page in Parma’s history which will remain in my heart,” Chivu wrote on Instagram.
Parma also thanked Chivu for his hard work, saying he played a key role in keeping the club safe after replacing former coach Fabio Pecchia.
This is Chivu’s first major coaching job after working with Inter’s youth teams until last summer. Reports say he has signed a two-year contract worth €2.5 million per season.
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Inter turned to Chivu after failing to convince Cesc Fabregas, current manager of Como, to take the job. The club decided to take a chance on the 43-year-old Romanian ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chivu will face his first big test when Inter Milan play Monterrey of Mexico next week in California at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Inter’s previous coach, Simone Inzaghi, left the team last week following a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. The club also lost the Serie A title to Napoli on the final day and was knocked out of the Italian Cup by AC Milan.
As a player, Chivu won three Serie A titles and the Champions League in 2010 with Inter Milan. Now, fans hope he can bring back that same winning spirit as coach.