If Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti make up two thirds of the world’s best three managers, then who accounts for the other 33 per cent? And could he end up at Manchester United as a replacement for Erik ten Hag?
According to the man who handed him his big break in management, the answer to the first question is none other than Simone Inzaghi.
As for the second, amid reports in Italy claiming that Manchester United have an interest in a man now in the Inter Milan dugout… Well, it’s safe to say Inzaghi is in no rush to leave the reigning Serie A champions in the lurch.
While Erik ten Hag appears to have been given a stay of execution by Ineos, surviving the October axe but under serious pressure to turn things around and fast, Inzaghi’s focus is fixed unblinkingly on defending his Scudetto throne.
Inzaghi always had a reputation for succeeding in cup competitions. He won the Coppa Italia with Lazio in 2019 while guiding the Biancocelesti to two Supercoppa Italiana triumphs.
But as former Italy international Inzaghi turned around his Inter Milan career – reaching the Champions League final and claiming the Scudetto to put those sack rumours firmly in the rearview mirror – his old Stadio Olimpico boss Igli Tare cannot speak highly enough of a man who’s reputation, and self-confidence, continues to grow year on year.
Manchester United target Simone Inzaghi hailed by former Lazio boss
“The first year [at Lazio] was very difficult, even though he won two trophies. He didn’t have much confidence in his ability to hold up at a European level,” Tare, who was the sporting director at the Stadio Olimpico when Inzaghi was hired back in 2016, tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“Reaching the Champions League final was the highest point of his awareness, and a new Inzaghi started there. He knows he is a top-level coach. He has improved in managing the squad and in communication.
“I consider him one of the two or three best coaches in the world together with Ancelotti and Guardiola.”
Guardiola himself is a committed member of the Inzaghi fanclub.
His Manchester City team relied on a Rodri winner and some glaring Romelu Lukaku misses to claim the treble at the Nerazzuri’s expense back in 2023, after all. And, post-match, Guardiola lauded an Inter Milan outfit ‘very well coached’ by Inzaghi; a man who has reportedly been identified to join him in England’s north west.
According to reports, Man United held a brief phone call with Andre Onana’s former San Siro boss back in September.
Not only is Inzaghi keen to stay at Inter right now, however, he is also keen to sign a new contract and commit his long-term future to the Italian giants.
Inter Milan legend has doubts about Inzaghi at Old Trafford
“For him, [those Man United links are] a huge sign of respect,” Inter icon Antonio Paganin, who won two UEFA Cup titles with the Nerazzuri, told Tuttomercatoweb last week.
“If we also think about a year-and-a-half ago when he was on the grill… Now, it seems like the world has turned upside down!
“Well done Inzaghi, who has put himself on the line and brought innovations to Inter.”
Paganin does have some doubts, however, about whether Inzaghi’s currently free-flowing, three-at-the-back system could cope in the Premier League.
“Bringing the three-man system to a world that always plays with four at the back, I don’t know if it could work, Paganin adds.
“If we think that you have to go to Manchester United, which is not among the elite of teams fighting for the title, I think it would be complicated.
“He would have nothing to lose. But, for me, he would clash with a culture that is different, tactically speaking.”
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