Coach Inzaghi to leave Inter Milan: club
INTER Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by 'mutual agreement', the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.
'The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,' Inter said in a statement.
Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday afternoon.
The parting came just days after Saturday's 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
Talk had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumours about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.
Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed.
Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026.
The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title - Inter's 20th - and two Italian Cups. He led the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.
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.
In its statement, the club said Inzaghi's management was 'characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication'.
His trophies had 'brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football', it said.
Marotta thanked him 'for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today's discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths'.
'Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,' he said.
In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: 'I will never forget you.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
Analysis-NATO's dilemma: how Zelenskiy can attend summit without provoking Trump
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Officials organising a NATO summit in The Hague this month are expected to keep it short, restrict discussion of Ukraine, and choreograph meetings so that Volodymyr Zelenskiy can somehow be in town without provoking Donald Trump. Though the Ukrainian president is widely expected to attend the summit in some form, NATO has yet to confirm whether he is actually invited. Diplomats say he may attend a pre-summit dinner but be kept away from the main summit meeting. Whether the brief summit statement will even identify Russia as a threat or express support for Ukraine is still up in the air. The careful steps are all being taken to avoid angering Washington, much less provoking any repeat of February's White House blow-up between Trump and Zelenskiy that almost torpedoed the international coalition supporting Kyiv. NATO's European members, who see Russia as an existential threat and NATO as the principal means of countering it, want to signal their continued strong support for Ukraine. But they are also desperate to avoid upsetting a volatile Trump, who stunned them at a summit seven years ago by threatening to quit the alliance altogether. If Zelenskiy does not attend in some form, it would be "at least a PR disaster", acknowledged a senior NATO diplomat. Since Russia's invasion three years ago, Zelenskiy has regularly attended NATO summits as the guest of honour, where alliance members pledged billions in weapons and condemned Russia for an illegal war of conquest. Leaders repeatedly promised that Ukraine would one day join NATO. But since Washington's shift under Trump towards partly accepting Russia's justifications for the war and disparaging Zelenskiy, the 32-member alliance no longer speaks with a single voice about Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. Trump has taken Ukraine's NATO membership off the table, unilaterally granting Moscow one of its main demands. After dressing down Zelenskiy in the Oval Office in February, Trump cut vital U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine for days. Since then, the two men publicly mended fences in a meeting in St Peter's Basilica for the funeral of Pope Francis. But mostly they have spoken remotely, with Zelenskiy twice phoning the White House on speakerphone while surrounded by four friendly Europeans -- Britain's Keir Starmer, France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz and Poland's Donald Tusk. SPENDING BOOST Trump is expected to come away from The Hague with a big diplomatic victory as NATO members heed his longstanding complaints that they do not spend enough on defence and agree a much higher target. They are expected to boost their goal for traditional military spending to 3.5% of economic output from 2%. A further pledge to spend 1.5% on related expenses such as infrastructure and cyber defence would raise the total to 5% demanded by Trump. But the summit itself and its accompanying written statement are expected to be unusually short, minimising the chances of flare-ups or disagreements. A pledge to develop recommendations for a new Russia strategy has been kicked into the long grass. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy may have to be content with an invitation to a pre-summit dinner, hosted by Dutch King Willem-Alexander, diplomats say. Unlike at NATO's previous two annual summits, the leaders do not plan to hold a formal meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the official venue for talks between the alliance and Kyiv. The senior NATO diplomat said a working dinner with either foreign ministers or defence ministers could instead serve as an NUC. 'PROPERLY REPRESENTED' On Wednesday, NATO boss Mark Rutte said he had invited Ukraine to the summit, but sidestepped a question on whether the invitation included Zelenskiy himself. After meeting Rutte on Monday, Zelenskiy said on X that it was "important that Ukraine is properly represented" at the summit. "That would send the right signal to Russia," he said. U.S. and Ukrainian officials did not reply to questions about the nature of any invitation to Ukraine. Some European countries are still willing to say in public that they hope to see Zelenskiy invited as the head of the Ukrainian delegation. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said he would like to see a "delegation led by President Zelenskiy". Asked about an invitation for Zelenskiy, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said "I, for my part, strongly welcome the invitation" without giving further details. But diplomats have tried to play down the importance of the formal status of Zelenskiy's role: "Many allies want to have Zelenskiy at the summit, but there is flexibility on the precise format that would allow his presence," said a second senior NATO diplomat. A senior European diplomat said: "We should not get stuck on 'NUC or no NUC'. If he comes to the leaders' dinner, that would be the minimum." (Additional reporting by by Lidia KellyEditing by Peter Graff)
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
LyondellBasell to divest four European sites in deal with AEQUITA
KUALA LUMPUR: LyondellBasell (LYB), a leader in the global chemical industry, has entered into an agreement and exclusive negotiations with AEQUITA for the sale of select olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe. The sites to be sold have been part of the previously announced European strategic assessment and are located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (United Kingdom), and Tarragona (Spain). "This contemplated transaction is a significant step in LYB's transformation to grow and upgrade our core. We are committed to operating our assets safely and reliably throughout this process and will continue to support our customers, employees and other key stakeholders. "Europe remains a core market for LYB and one we will continue to participate in following this transaction with more of a focus on value creation through establishing profitable leadership in circular and renewable solutions," said LyondellBasell chief executive officer, Peter Vanacker, in a statement. Meanwhile, AEQUITA managing partner, Christoph Himmel, said the acquisition of these assets from LYB marks another important step in expanding its industrial footprint. Each site brings a strong operational foundation and a highly experienced, committed employee base. The assets and business to be acquired by AEQUITA include integrated and non-integrated sites within LYB's European olefins and polyolefins business, as well as supporting central functions based at the company's Rotterdam headquarters and various locations. The sites together represent a scaled olefins and polyolefins platform strategically located in proximity to a longstanding customer base and with access and connectivity to key infrastructure. The agreement is a put option deed under which AEQUITA has committed to enter into an agreed form purchase agreement if LYB exercises its put option after the conclusion of certain works council consultation processes. Closing of the proposed transaction is currently expected in the first half of 2026, subject to the completion of the information and consultation processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws, as well as regulatory and other customary closing conditions.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Tang Jie-Ee Wei find purpose after split as they eye first Super 1000 final
KUALA LUMPUR: From a split just three months ago to a Super 1000 semi-final — Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei's mixed doubles partnership is enjoying a well-timed resurgence. The world No. 4, who reunited only last week after a brief separation, are now riding a wave of form at the Indonesia Open, where they are just two wins away from the biggest title of their career. Their reunion, following a short stint with other partners, seems to have reignited a deeper sense of purpose and maturity in their combination. "During the time we were apart, both of us partnered younger players who had the ability, but didn't always get the chance to play in high-level tournaments," said Tang Jie. "That experience made us realise how important it is to be patient and take more responsibility." Their brief pairings — Tang Jie with Chan Wen Tse and Ee Wei with Loo Bing Kun — gave them a fresh perspective on leadership and accountability, ultimately strengthening their commitment to the original partnership. The results speak for themselves. On Friday, Tang Jie-Ee Wei booked their spot in the Indonesia Open semi-finals with a hard-fought 17-21, 21-16, 21-14 victory over Denmark's Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund — the reigning European champions — in their first-ever meeting. "It wasn't easy because they're top players too," said Ee Wei. "Our coach kept motivating us and told us to stay confident. We also trusted each other on court." Tang Jie added: "Before the match, we talked about increasing our pace because Toft is a very skilful and tall player. We wanted to play faster to find attacking chances." "In the end, I think my partner led me really well today, and that helped us win." Their momentum in Jakarta marks a clear contrast to their recent struggles. After a disappointing All England campaign in March led to their split, both players went on separate paths. Although they featured together at the Sudirman Cup in May, the reunion was not yet official. That only came at the Singapore Open last week — where they bowed out in the last 16. Now, with confidence restored and chemistry renewed, they are peaking at the right time. Next, they face in-form Thais Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran, who prevented an all-Malaysian semi-final by ousting Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai 21-16, 21-16 in the quarters. The Thai pair lead the head-to-head 2-1, including their most recent win at the Indonesia Masters. But with a place in their maiden Super 1000 final on the line, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be eager to flip the script and complete their remarkable turnaround.
