Simone Inzaghi reflects on life in Saudi Arabia and dismisses talk of Italy return
Simone Inzaghi has firmly dismissed speculation of an imminent return to Italian football, stating he is thoroughly content in his role as head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The former Inter manager, who turned 50 this week, spoke to Italian newspaper La Libertà from Riyadh, describing his move to Saudi Arabia as a transformative life change rather than a purely financial decision.
Inzaghi confirmed he has a year remaining on his lucrative contract with Al-Hilal, which is reported to be worth approximately 27 million euros annually. However, he pushed back against the narrative that money was his primary motivator for leaving Serie A. He explained that after a stressful but successful tenure at Inter, he sought a new high-level challenge in a completely different environment, one that offered a better lifestyle and less intense pressure.
The coach elaborated on his satisfaction with his current situation, praising the sporting infrastructure, overall serenity, and quality of life in Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged following Italian football from afar, expressing his disappointment that the national team will miss a third consecutive World Cup. As the brother of 2006 World Cup winner Filippo Inzaghi, he described the repeated failure to qualify as a personal sorrow, but expressed confidence that Italian football will recover.
Regarding his future, Inzaghi said he is "flattered" by links to the Italy national team job but is in no rush to leave his project in Riyadh. He emphasized his family's happiness and his son Lorenzo's integration into Al-Hilal's youth academy, where the 13-year-old striker has already scored 21 goals this season. His younger son, Andrea, is also beginning to show an affinity for the game.
Inzaghi's move to Al-Hilal in 2025 came after he established himself as one of Europe's top coaches at Inter, where he won multiple trophies and consistently challenged for the Serie A title. His departure was seen as a significant coup for the Saudi Pro League's ambitious project to attract elite managerial talent. His comments suggest a coach fully invested in his new chapter, prioritizing personal well-being and a fresh sporting challenge over a swift return to the familiar pressures of European football.
