Born: 5 April 1976
Nationality: Italian
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy
Debut season as manager: 2016/2017
Current Club: FC Internazionale Milano
Contract: June 2021 – June 2026
Titles as manager:
SS Lazio:
- Coppa Italia Winner with Lazio 2019
- Supercoppa Italiana with Lazio 2017 and 2019
FC Internazionale:
- Serie A Winner 2023/2024
- Coppa Italia Winner 2022 and 2023
- Supercoppa Italiana 2021, 2022 and 2023
- UEFA Champions League final runners-up 2022/2023
Other Achievements as manager:
- Serie A Most Valuable Coach 2023/2024
- Enzo Bearzot Award 2024
- Serie A Coach of the Month; December 2021, October 2023, January 2024 and April 2024
Managerial Career:
Simone Inzaghi, an Italian football manager and former striker, has gained recognition for his tactical acumen, adaptability, and man-management skills. After a notable playing career, particularly with Lazio, he transitioned into management and has built a strong reputation in Serie A, especially with Lazio and later Inter Milan.
Lazio (2016–2021): Inzaghi took over Lazio initially on an interim basis in 2016 but was soon confirmed as their permanent manager due to his success. He guided Lazio to several strong finishes in Serie A and won multiple domestic trophies. He built a system that leveraged the talents of key players like Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto, and Sergej Milinković-Savić.
Inter Milan (2021–Present): Inzaghi took over Inter Milan after Antonio Conte’s departure in 2021, inheriting a team that had just won Serie A but was facing financial issues and had lost key players like Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi. Despite these challenges, Inzaghi adapted well and continued to lead Inter as a competitive force in Italy and Europe.
System of Play:
Inzaghi has built a reputation for getting the most out of his players. He is known for deploying a 3–5–2 formation with wing-backs that like to get forward and join in the attacking play. In his preferred formation, two central strikers are supported by an attacking midfielder who sits just in front of the other two players in midfield. It is a tactically fluid system which appears like a 5–3–2 out of possession as the wing-backs drop back into defense. Inzaghi is also known for his versatility in how he sets his team up to defend. During his spell at Lazio, he implemented both a high press and a mid-block to win the ball back when their opponents were in possession. In 2022, Francesco Porzio of CBS Soccer noted that Inzaghi gave his players more freedom tactically than his predecessor Antonio Conte, which had a positive impact on the team’s performances. Inzaghi’s tactical approach at Inter in the lead-up to the 2023 Champions League final against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City was described as “reactive” by Miguel Delaney of The Independent, who noted that it was “difficult to identify patterns or trends in Inter’s play” under Inzaghi, and as such, preparing to face Inzaghi’s teams posed challenges for opposing managers, as they were difficult to read.[45] Beyond his tactical prowess, Inzaghi has also been praised for his leadership qualities as a manager, with James Horncastle of BBC Sport also noting in 2023 that he “…is adaptable, a good man-manager and someone who manages moments in games.”
There is no doubt that Inzaghi prefers to organize his teams in a typically 3-5-2 formation, which has been key to his success. However it is far from fair to say that it is the formation and not the philosophy behind the numbers which is the reason of success for the Piacenza-born tactician. Let´s therefore go through his system of play by looking into the important sections of it. We start with the solid defensive organization upon which everything is based, the effective wing-back play, and the fluid attacking structure. Below are the key aspects of Inzaghi´s managerial playing style:
- Three-at-the-back formation: Inzaghi employs a three-man defense, ensuring defensive solidity while allowing flexibility in transitions. His center-backs are expected to be good on the ball, capable of pushing forward and distributing to initiate attacks.
- Wing-backs as key components: The 3-5-2 formation places heavy reliance on wing-backs. These players are crucial in both attack and defense, providing width, pressing high, and delivering crosses into the box. At Inter, players like Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco play pivotal roles as wing-backs.
- Midfield creativity: Inzaghi’s system places significant responsibility on central midfielders to dictate play. One midfielder often acts as a deep-lying playmaker, while others (like Milinković-Savić at Lazio or Nicolò Barella at Inter) are given more freedom to advance and create chances. The midfield is generally compact, ensuring defensive cover while being capable of quick transitions to attack.
- Strike partnerships: His front two, in the 3-5-2, often consist of a poacher (like Ciro Immobile or Lautaro Martínez) and a more versatile forward who can drop deep or play as a second striker (like Joaquin Correa or Edin Džeko). Inzaghi likes having fluid forwards who can switch roles between pressing, creating, and finishing.
- Counter-attacking & Transition Play: Inzaghi’s teams are adept at counter-attacking. His 3-5-2 can transition from defense to attack quickly, especially with the wide players moving up the pitch rapidly. This has made his teams effective both in possession and on the break.
- Set-piece effectiveness: One notable aspect of Inzaghi’s coaching is the attention to set pieces. His teams often score from corners, free-kicks, and well-drilled routines, showing an emphasis on maximizing opportunities in dead-ball situations.
Tactical Flexibility:
While Inzaghi has a preferred 3-5-2 formation, he is tactically flexible and adjusts his system based on the opponent and match context. His teams can also shift into a 3-4-1-2 or 5-3-2, depending on the game state, allowing more defensive coverage or more emphasis on attacking transitions.
Leadership and Man-Management:
Inzaghi is well-regarded for his calm demeanor and ability to connect with players. He fosters a positive team atmosphere, earning the trust and loyalty of his squad. His leadership style is one of quiet confidence, preferring to empower his players rather than dictating through harsh measures.
Summary:
Simone Inzaghi is a modern, tactically astute manager who has thrived in Serie A by blending a solid defensive structure with creative attacking play. His 3-5-2 system emphasizes width, midfield dominance, and a dynamic front line, and he has demonstrated an ability to adapt and succeed, even in challenging circumstances. At Inter, he continues to grow, showing promise on both domestic and European fronts. Time will tell how Inzaghi can go as a manager at the absolute top level.Because there is no doubt that Italian football once again has produced another star in the sky of football’s greatest managers.