Although he has only been in senior management for less than half a season, it is worth unpicking Cristian Chivu’s Parma record, as well as his experience in youth development teams at Inter Milan, as he takes over the reins at the Nerazzuri.
Inter Milan’s mad scramble to install a new manager has reached a surprise new chapter, with ex-player-turned-coach Cristian Chivu signing a two-year deal.
With elite managers at a premium, Inter’s limited shortlist has a notable lack of experience at the top level, but the hope is that Chivu’s deep-rooted ties to the Nerazzuri may stand him in good stead.
Cristian Chivu Agrees Two-Year Deal to Manager Inter Milan
Despite wide-spread talks of Inter entering into negotiations with Cesc Fabregas this week, Como president has echoed the club’s refusal to entertain his exit, saying: “Cesc Fabregas never asked us to leave and he never used the interests of other clubs for economic purposes.
“He has great professionalism and integrity, we are proud to have him. We communicated our refusal to Inter, the rumours are pure fantasy, our response is clear.”
Cristian Chivu has now been identified as the clear candidate to fill the void left by Simone Inzaghi’s shock departure.
Parma, where he has only been manager since February, allowed him permission to talk to Inter, who were keen to complete a two-year deal before the Club World Cup starts on June 14.
According to the safest betting sites, Inter are sixth-favourites to win the first edition of the new format.
🚨⚫️🔵 Cristian Chivu signs in as new Inter manager until June 2027, here we go!
Agreement done for Chivu who signs a two year deal and leaves Parma to return to Inter.
It follows negotiations off this morning for Cesc Fabregas. pic.twitter.com/PHtCYnDRga
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2025
Cristian Chivu Parma Record
| Team | From | To | Record | |||||||
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||
| Parma | 18 February 2025 | Present | 13 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 23.08 |
Chivu, who took charge of Parma in February following the departure of Fabio Pecchia, proved to be a shrewd appointment as the club battled for survival.
The Crociati had not won in the league in 2025 before Chivu’s arrival, where they sat in 18th place in the Serie A table with a tally of 20 points after 25 matches.
The following 13-game slate to secure their survival saw Chivu and Parma turn the season on its head, losing just three games and cementing a 16th-placed finish.
Chivu’s Parma stats don’t tell the full story, however, which included some heroic results against the top-half, in order to keep them afloat.
- Beat Atalanta 3-2
- Drew with Napoli 0-0
- Drew with Lazio 2-2
- Beat Juventus 1-0
- Drew with Fiorentina 0-0
- Drew with Inter 2-2
- Beat Bologna 2-0
Before his first venture into senior management, Chivu had been a key figure in Inter’s youth set-up.
After gaining his UEFA Pro license in 2019, Chivu he was promoted to lead Inter’s U17 and U18s, before taking over at the club’s Primavera team.
Why Inter Hired Cristian Chivu Over Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas
Cristian Chivu halted extension talks with Parma, in order to wait for his former employers to make an approach.
This, first and foremost, signals his devotion to a club that has given him so much joy as a player, and later springboarded his career as a young manager.
Of course, Chivu owes a lot to what could turn out to be a brief chapter at Parma, but having spent a collective 13 years at the San Siro, there is an air of inevitability about his return.
Chivu showing willingness as soon as Inter come calling is exactly what they need right now, having been left publicly red-faced by Como’s president.
A seamless, stress-free appointment is needed in order to have a manager in place before the Club World Cup, amid a week of turmoil where Inter have also been accused of publishing fictitious sponsorship revenue.
Another former legend, Patrick Vieira, has been touted as an alternative to top choice Fabregas, but by all accounts he will remain loyal to Genoa for the moment.
Not only would Inter have to match a release clause to allow him to leave, but Vieira is likely to receive an extension to his contract, which will come with a significant pay rise if he remains in the dugout beyond the summer.
Inter also appear to be accommodating their new managerial arrival with fresh faces on the pitch, including teenager Giovanni Leoni, who could follow Chivu from Parma to Inter Milan.
