Chivu reacts to Inter’s 2025-26 domestic double: ‘Ups and downs, we need balance’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu has given his assessment on what has been an impressive first full season as a head coach, guiding Inter to a Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2025-26, but claims that he is happier for his players and supporters than he is for himself.

Inter are celebrating their domestic double this season, following their 1-1 Serie A draw against Hellas Verona, the team’s final home match of the campaign.

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri wrapped up the Scudetto with a 2-0 victory over Parma on May 3 and went on to win the Coppa Italia with a 2-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday. They were presented with the Coppa Italia trophy immediately after full-time in the cup final, but had to wait until Sunday to be given the league silverware.

Click here to follow the latest from Inter’s trophy lift and parade.

Chivu on Inter’s domestic double and need for balance

ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Cristian Chivu of FC Internazionale celebrates after winning the Coppa Italia final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“We celebrated last week, today it’s the trophy lift and the parade. The euphoria has passed, but today we have the chance to show off the two trophies we won thanks to these guys,” said Chivu to DAZN after the trophy lift (via TMW).

It wasn’t the easiest of starts to the season, especially on a psychological level following last season’s hammering by PSG in the Champions League final, but Chivu is impressed with the work that his side has put in and says that his job is largely about managing the ‘balance’ between the highs and lows.

“There are always ups and downs over eight months, you have to know how to overcome the difficult times we had at the beginning of the season, and without getting too excited when we won 14 out of 15 games. We need balance.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 03: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu and Federico Dimarco celebrate after being confirmed as Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

While this is Chivu’s first full season as a head coach of a senior men’s side, he has been with the Nerazzurri for close to two decades between his stints as a player, youth coach and now head coach of the first team.

“I’ve been here for 19 years, it’s a beautiful feeling for me, but I’m even happier for my boys and for these fans.”