'Italian genius' Inzaghi to coach Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal
Al Hilal's new coach Simone Inzaghi took Inter Milan to two Champions League finals in three seasons but lost both. (Marco BERTORELLO)
Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on Thursday, days after he led Inter Milan to a heavy defeat in the Champions League final.
"The Italian genius is here," Al Hilal posted on X, with a slickly produced video of the Italian coach. "Welcome, Simone Inzaghi."
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Inzaghi joins the Riyadh club, a mainstay of the oil-funded Saudi Pro League, weeks before it takes part in the new-look Club World Cup in the United States.
"I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story with Al Hilal," he said in the video message to fans, in which he sips Arabian coffee and pins an Al Hilal lapel badge on his suit.
Inzaghi's Inter slumped 5-0 to Qatar-funded Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday.
The 49-year-old guided Inter to one Serie A title and two Italian Cups since joining in 2021. He took them to two Champions League finals in three seasons but lost both.
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On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.
Last month, Inzaghi played down rumours of a two-year deal with Al Hilal worth 50 million euros.
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