'My goal is to win as much as possible' - Inzaghi's first Al Hilal interview | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi is the latest major name to join the Roshn Saudi League, with the former Inter Milan head coach confirmed as Al Hilal manager early on Thursday.

The Italian arrives in the Kingdom with an impressive managerial CV, embroidered in particular by four trophy-laded years at the San Siro.

Inzaghi, 49, signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal as he seeks to take the 2023-24 RSL champions back to the summit of Saudi football following this season’s runner-up finish.

Certainly, he knows a thing or two about winning titles, since he guided Inter to 2023-24 Serie A success, two Coppa Italia crowns and a trio of Italian Super Cup successes.

Inzaghi’s Inter were also two-time UEFA Champions League finalists, in 2023 and then again this season. And all that followed a brilliant spell in charge of Lazio.

So, why Al Hilal? Why choose the RSL for his first experience of management outside of his homeland? And how about that first test: the FIFA Club World Cup Group H opener against Real Madrid in Miami on June 18?

Well, Inzaghi sat down with the Al Hilal official media team after putting pen to paper in Paris, so here’s what he had to say in his first interview as manager.

Welcome to the RSL, Mister.

How do you see your first experience outside Italy?

"First of all, I am very happy to try this new experience. My desire had always been to be able to go and coach abroad, as well as in Italy, and for me Al Hilal is a great opportunity in my career.

"Al Hilal is a club that I know because I follow Arab football; we have been to play here in Saudi Arabia many times, with both Lazio and Internazionale, so it is a championship that I have followed.

"I have always followed Al Hilal with big sympathy because they have Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, he's a player I also coached in Lazio, and I'm happy to have found him here at the club."

How did you see the development of Saudi football?

"Football in Saudi Arabia is evolving more and more - there are many teams like Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad, so many football teams are evolving.

"It is always improving through the foreign players and coaches they acquire, who add more quality to the teams with the local players who are growing more and more."

What are your initial thoughts of Al Hilal?

"Of course, I have followed the history of Al Hilal Club. This helps me to have this new experience outside Italy... so I have the desire to learn about new cultures. And this experience in Saudi Arabia is a great privilege.

"But as for the initial thoughts about Al Hilal's history, I saw millions and millions of fans who always filled the stands of the stadiums. I also saw the match in the [Asian] Champions League [Elite] in Jeddah; the stadium was full of Al Hilal fans."

What are your goals with the club?

"My goals are to try to win as much as possible - to win trophies - because it is the most important thing. And then I hope to apply my way of playing and make the team play football in the best way.

"My ideas are to stay a long time to win titles. To win the second star, when we win the league for the 20th time, is an important goal."

What style of play can Al Hilal fans expect to see?

"I will definitely apply my tactics. We will be a team that have all the necessary ingredients: speed, aggression, and determination for winning as many games as possible."

Are you excited to link up with Milinkovic-Savic again?

"Yes, I met Milinkovic-Savic; for me he will be a strong addition [to my team]. But besides being a top player, he is a very good man. I will be happy to coach him again."

What type of player will succeed in your team?

"All the players have the opportunity to succeed; the player who puts all of his energy on the pitch, he will be a key factor in winning games."

What are your thoughts on the FIFA Club World Cup, and the first match against Real Madrid?

"I think the FIFA Club World Cup is a prestigious competition. Clearly, I will have to get to know the team in the best way, but there is great passion for everyone to take part in this important competition.

"It will certainly be a great challenge when we meet [Madrid]. I met Real Madrid in the Champions League with Internazionale - also I met [their new manager] Xabi Alonso when he coached Bayer Leverkusen - so we will face a big club - and we will try to do our best."