Cristian Chivu Admits: ‘I Thought I’d Be Staying At Parma – But I’m Proud To Be Here At Inter Milan’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu admits that he “thought he’d be staying at Parma” this summer before he got the call from Inter Milan.

The new Nerazzurri coach gave his thoughts on the whirlwind saga that saw him re-join the club as head coach in his first press conference since joining, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan have appointed Cristian Chivu as head coach.

The 44-year-old takes the place of Simone Inzaghi following his departure for Al-Hilal.

Chivu has just thirteen matches of senior coaching experience. These came in charge of Parma last season, where he kept the Emilian team in Serie A after a difficult season.

However, Chivu also has a very long association with Inter. Both as a player, and then as a coach at various youth team levels.

Therefore, the decision by Inter to make him coach can’t entirely have come as a surprise to the Romanian. However, for it to happen so soon was perhaps not expected.

Cristian Chivu: “Thought I’d Be Staying At Parma – But Proud To Be At Inter”

PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Parma Calcio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and Bologna at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 22, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“It was a surprise for me,” Chivu admitted of getting the call from Inter.

“Because my intention was that I’d be staying at Parma. Given the work I’d already done.”

“Then I got the call, asking to meet with me,” Chivu looked back.

“The first thing was to ask Parma for permission.”

The Romanian noted that “obviously when Inter calls, it makes you feel proud.”

“At the moment I’m here. So words mean little.”

As far as departed Inter coach, Chivu commented that “I always had a good relationship with Simone Inzaghi I was coaching at the youth teams.”

“I called him to wish him good luck when I found out he was leaving Inter,” the 44-year-old added.

“And after that moment, I haven’t heard from him again.”

Of joining Inter as coach, Chivu noted that “I’ve already done so, even if it was with the youth sector.”

“Pride and a feeling of responsibility always make you give something more.”

“With the first team, I feel a great sense of responsibility. Just like the first day that Piero Ausilio brought me here as a player.”

“I’ve been here for thirteen years now,” Chivu said. “Apart from a short break where I was at Parma.”

Of the wishes he’s gotten from other Treble-winners from the 2009-10 season, Chivu stated that “We have our historic chat.”

“It’s been going on for many years.”

“We’re a good group,” Chivu said of the 2009-109 Inter squad. “We’re friends for life, because the results lead to that.”

“I was really happy to receive all the messages from them. Obviously, they remain between me and them.”

“But I’m, pleased to see happiness in the eyes of people who have written history with Inter,” Chivu said.

Chivu: “Inter Need Confidence & Self-Belief” At Club World Cup

VERONA, ITALY – MARCH 31: Cristian Chivu head coach of Parma calcio during the Serie A match between Verona and Parma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 31, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Of guiding this Inter team into the Club World Cup this summer, Chivu said that “it’s a new version of an old project.”

“We need to be aware that a team like Inter need the right kind of attitude and ambition.”

“The bar has been raised,” said the new Nerazzurri coach. “We need to have a lot of confidence and self-belief to keep the team where it is at the moment.”

Chivu then noted that “I’ve known the team and the club for a long time.”

“All the way since back with the youth teams.”

“For me it’s not a problem,” added the Romanian. “I know the personal qualities that are in the dressing room.”

“What I’m trying to tell them is that the journey they’ve managed is fantastic. They can’t forget all that.”

As far as what Chivu can give to Inter, the new coach said “from a human point of view, everything I have.”

“Respect. Gratitude. Character. Interismo.”

“This shirt has stayed with me,” declared Chivu. “From a professional point of view, you have to decide. On a human level, I’ll give everything I have.”

And of veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Chivu said that “It’s not age that counts, but human qualities.”

“The age on your passport doesn’t matter in football. It’s not right to talk about Mkhitaryan’s age, because what he’s shown me in training is beyond discussion.”

Chivu added that “I hope he finds the same energy.”

“That’s what matters. What’s important is working hard for the team, the fans, and the club.”