Cristian Chivu is expected to receive a message from his former coach, José Mourinho, after securing the 2025-26 Scudetto with Inter Milan. Mourinho had promised to reach out just days before the team’s victory.
Inter’s triumph in Serie A is being celebrated globally. The Nerazzurri have clinched their second league title in three seasons, with Chivu becoming the first foreign coach to achieve this in Italy since Mourinho himself did in 2010.
Chivu was part of the Inter squad that won a historic treble under Mourinho’s guidance in 2010. Shortly before Inter’s latest championship win, Mourinho commented to Il Giornale: “I am happy for Chivu that Inter can win the Scudetto, although when I was his coach, I never thought he would become a coach. He didn’t seem destined for it, but he was intelligent. He studied and gained experience. Many people become coaches today because they market themselves well. And let’s be honest: this notion that style of play is more important than results is the biggest lie in football.”
Mourinho added, “I haven’t messaged Chivu yet because it’s not mathematically certain. Let’s let him earn the necessary points, and when it happens, I will reach out.”
Now that Inter has secured their 21st Scudetto, it’s highly probable that Mourinho will get in touch with his former player.
Inter, under Chivu, also has the opportunity to complete a domestic double, having advanced to the Coppa Italia Final, scheduled against Lazio on May 13, 2026.
Following Inter’s 2-0 victory over Parma on May 3, which mathematically sealed the Scudetto with three games remaining, Chivu stated, “This is the 21st title and another page in the glorious history of this club. I was younger then, I’ve got some grey hair now, but I am just as happy as when I was a player. The players deserve the credit today; they were marvelous.”
He continued, “For what this club represents, it was our duty to be competitive. There are ups and downs, the season is a marathon, and we were the most consistent team overall, even after losing a few games, because we always managed to react and get back on our feet.”
Inter appointed Chivu as head coach in the summer of 2025, shortly after their 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League Final under the previous manager, Simone Inzaghi.
Chivu’s current contract runs until June 2027. However, as revealed by President Beppe Marotta, the club intends to work on a contract extension and a long-term project with the 45-year-old manager.