Former Inter coach hoping Saudi club comes up trumps
Former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has signed a two-year deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP
Simone Inzaghi has taken over as head coach of Al-Hilal, a day after leaving Inter Milan and two weeks before the Saudi Arabian team's first game at the Club World Cup.
Inzaghi signed a two-year deal after Al-Hilal lured him with an offer of reportedly more than 20 million euros ($A35 million) per season.
"The Italian genius is here," the Saudi club said in a social media post.
Inter were routed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last Saturday, marking the most lopsided defeat in the 70-year history of major European finals.
The 49-year-old Inzaghi coached Inter to the Serie A title last year and was also in charge when the Nerazzurri lost the 2023 Champions League title to Manchester City.
He was at Inter for four years.
Al-Hilal open their Club World Cup campaign against Real Madrid on June 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
28 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Football world in shock as Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou's sacking by Tottenham has sparked shock and outrage as the soccer world digested the news that a man who had ended his club's long search for silverware had been shown the door a fortnight later. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, said: 'It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles. 'If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years.' Tuchel also paid tribute to Postecoglou: 'I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did,' he said. 'But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility.' There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro taking to Instagram to say: 'Thank you for everything, boss. For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. 'I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss.' Soccer pundits came out backing the Australian coach, and laying into Tottenham's decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: 'What a stupid game football is!!!!' Another former England forward, Chris Sutton, said: 'To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers.' Tottenham supporters went online in their droves, mainly to vent their fury at the club' decision. One posted to Sky Sports: 'That night in Bilbao earned Ange the right to continue it next season. Gutted.' Tottenham fan Alfie Watts, who won BBC's Race Across the World in 2024, said he was 'fuming' over the sacking 'I'm fuming. I can't really get my head around it. I think it's a baffling decision,' Watts told BBC Radio. Also on BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: ' It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest.' And from across the North London divide, an Arsenal supporter told the BBC: 'Spurs have achieved a trophy win and Champions League qualification. One more than us! Yet they lose their manager. Deserved longer in the role.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We are forever connected': Ange Postecoglou pays tribute to Spurs players, fans after sacking
'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 'I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. 'Finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. We are forever connected.' Spurs made a bright start in the Australian's first season in charge, playing an attack-minded and entertaining style of football led to both high-scoring wins and losses. They narrowly missed out on a Champions League place by finishing fifth in 2023-24, but then saw a major dip in results this past season. Loading It's 17th-place finish was its lowest since the Premier League was founded in 1992. Tottenham lost 22 of its 38 games and ended the campaign just one position above the relegation places. It meant that Postecoglou was relieved of his duties despite securing the club's first piece of silverware since 2008, while also qualifying for next season's Champions League. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club,' Spurs said in their statement. 'Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. Loading 'This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' Postecoglou delivered a mic-drop moment during a euphoric open-top bus parade celebrating the Europa League triumph in front of an estimated 220,000 people when he declared 'season three is better than season two'.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Ange Postecoglou: Europa League-winning coach sacked by Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou's rollercoaster two-year reign at Tottenham Hotspur is over after the North London club sacked their Australian head coach. The axe came despite Postecoglou guiding Spurs to a 1-0 victory in the Europa League final over fellow EPL side Manchester United in Bilbao last month. It meant the 59-year-old had delivered on his promise of 'always' winning a trophy in his second season. But it also came at the end of a dismal EPL campaign in which the club finished in 17th place, just above the relegated trio. Tottenham confirmed the sacking in a statement released late Friday afternoon (local time) which read: 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. 'We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. 'We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future -- he will always be welcome back at our home.' Postecoglou also issued a statement, saying: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them.' Europa League success - Tottenham's first trophy in 17 years - brought an outpouring of emotion from Spurs fans and initially seemed sufficient to save his job. Postecoglou even delivered a mic-drop moment during a euphoric open-top bus parade in front of an estimated 220,000 people when he declared, 'season three is better than season two'. But chairman Daniel Levy had other ideas and appears to have dismissed the man to deliver him a much-craved trophy. Postecogou had divided opinion among supporters during his two-year tenure and his job prospects seemed bleak before winning the Europa League, European football's second-tier competition behind the Champions League. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to replace Postecoglou. It all started so brightly for Postecoglou, who arrived from Celtic in the summer of 2023, with a run of eight wins from his first 10 league fixtures - despite the high-profile departure of Harry Kane. That propelled Spurs to the summit but a sign of things to come was a thrilling loss to Chelsea in November, 2023 where several injuries occurred. Fifth place in Postecoglou's debut campaign still represented an impressive finish but cracks started to emerge during an end-of-season 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City where some Tottenham fans were conflicted given a positive result would have put rivals Arsenal in the driving seat for the title. Postecoglou later acknowledged that he misjudged the mood, but further run-ins would follow. A slow start to the 2024-25 campaign was followed by Postecoglou's second-season trophy claim and a strong run of form as Spurs emphatically defeated Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City. But further injuries hampered progress and Spurs lost eight of their 11 EPL matches through a busy December and January programme. The Carabao Cup provided some relief with a run to the semi-finals, but that ended in a 4-0 drubbing at Liverpool, while the slump in league form continued. That left the Europa League, which Postecoglou delivered to the enraptured supporters. Suddenly, as Postecoglou bathed in the glory on Tottenham's euphoric victory parade, a whole bright new future seemed to beckon. But it was a mirage. One glorious night in Europe was not enough to save him. With PA
