Cristian Chivu set for new Inter Milan contract after title win
Cristian Chivu is set to sign a new contract with Inter Milan, with the formal agreement expected to be finalized once the Serie A title is mathematically secured. According to reports from Italy, the deal is a formality, rewarding the 43-year-old Romanian manager for a debut season in which he has led Inter to the brink of the scudetto and into the Coppa Italia final. Chivu's current salary, believed to be around 2.5 million euros annually, will be increased as part of the new terms, signaling the club's commitment to building a cycle under his leadership.
Chivu took over on a permanent basis last summer after a successful interim spell in the previous campaign, where he secured Champions League qualification. He now stands on the cusp of entering a select group of managers, having guided Inter to a commanding lead at the top of Serie A with a nine-point advantage and only six matches remaining. Should Inter complete the job, Chivu would join a list of only three other managers—Vycpálek, Sacchi, and Mourinho—to have won the Italian league in their first full season in charge of a club in the top flight.
Further historical achievement is within reach in the Coppa Italia. If Inter triumphs in that competition as well, Chivu would match the feat of Jose Mourinho, who in his 2009 debut season with the Nerazzurri secured a domestic double. This potential for immediate, tangible success has solidified the club's hierarchy's belief in Chivu's project, with CEO Giuseppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio prepared to back him in a significant summer rebuild.
The upcoming transfer window is poised to be one of transition for Inter, a context that makes the stability of Chivu's continued tenure even more critical. Several key players are out of contract, including goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defenders Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij, and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Backup goalkeeper Josep Martinez is also likely to depart, while the future of star defender Alessandro Bastoni is under speculation, with Barcelona reportedly showing strong interest.
This exodus will necessitate substantial reinvestment. The club's management is expected to target at least two new defenders and two goalkeepers, with names like Guglielmo Vicario, Erhan Mašović, Jhon Lucumí, Mario Gila, and Strahinja Pavlović all mentioned in connection with the club. In midfield, Borussia Mönchengladbach's Manu Koné is cited as a primary target. The scale of the changes places added importance on Chivu's continuity, providing a clear vision and tactical identity during a period of squad overhaul.
For Chivu, the new contract represents validation of his work and a mandate to shape Inter's future. His calm, analytical approach has been credited with improving the team's in-game management and solidifying a dominant defensive record. The agreement, while not yet officially announced by the club, underscores a mutual confidence that his project is only just beginning, with the immediate focus now on securing the league title before turning attention to the transfer market and next season's challenges.
