Simone Inzaghi reflected on his first 18 months at Inter, his coaching career so far and the emotions of San Siro.
The 46-year-old Italian coach took over at the Nerazzurri in June 2021 following the departure of Antonio Conte. Coming in after the team’s Scudetto success, Inzaghi failed to guide Inter to the title last season, missing out by two points, but did win both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
This season, Inter have a slight hope in the title race with Napoli and Milan, and defended their Supercoppa Italiana after beating their intercity rivals in Riyadh last week.
Speaking in Inter’s matchday programme, Inzaghi first reflected on his career as both a player and coach.
“Piacenza is the place of my origins, where I was born and grew up, there I did all my youth training and made my debut in Serie A.
“In Rome with Lazio I won my first trophies as a player and coach, it’s a city that is part of my professional and personal history.
“In Milan I arrived at a great club like Inter, here together with my staff, the team, the fans and the club I was able to win two trophies in my first year and start this 2023 by lifting the Supercoppa.”
He touched on the emotions generated at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“We have played many beautiful and exciting games, but so far the one that has stayed with me the most is my debut at San Siro against Genoa.
“It was my first league game, I had come from five years at Lazio and it was all new to me. The welcome the fans gave me was very important and gave me great strength to face the season.”
He touched on some coaches that made an important impact on his career.
“As coaches there’s certainly Materazzi, who gave me the chance to make my Serie A debut in Piacenza and was very important for my growth, and Eriksson because he gave me confidence in my first year in Lazio when we won the European Super Cup, the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia by making me play so many games as a starter.”
Finally, Inzaghi discussed the importance of humility.
“Humility has been fundamental in my career, it’s what has allowed me to learn something every day, both as a player and as a coach.
“Then character and the desire to improve every day, every season, that drive that allows you to grow and always aim for new goals.”