Chivu Hits Back at Critics as Nine-Point Lead Reshapes Inter Expectations

Inter boss Chivu says media perception changed after Valentine’s Day Juve win

Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu rejects claims he’s changed in his debut season, saying he’s “not a fool” and has only adapted. Nine points clear in Serie A, Chivu says media perception shifted after Inter’s Valentine’s Day win over Juventus.

‘I’m no fool’ says Inter’s Cristian Chivu says he’s ‘adjusted’ through the season...

Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu pushed back on claims he has changed in his first season, saying Thursday that he’s “not a fool” and has simply adapted to shifting circumstances and media perceptions.

Chivu’s side sit nine points clear atop Serie A, with the 45-year-old leading a title push that has reshaped expectations for a team and a coach who started the season under much less scrutiny.

 

At a press conference before Friday’s home game against Cagliari, the Inter boss was asked whether he feels he’s changed or if it’s others’ perception of him that has changed.

“I can be many things, but I'm definitely not a ‌fool,” Chivu said.

“Life has taught me to adapt ⁠to moments and narratives, to ‌the role I occupy and the leadership I have. If at the beginning what I wanted to convey to the group made me say certain things in a certain way, along the way those things changed.

“Because everything changed, and I adjusted.“

There was plenty of skepticism around Chivu’s appointment when the club replaced Simone Inzaghi - who had won the league title and reached two Champions League finals - with an inexperienced manager.

 

Chivu, a former Inter player who started coaching with the club’s youth teams, had only taken charge of 13 senior games with Parma last season. Inter then lost two of their opening three matches, which did little to ease concerns.

“We started out supposedly aiming just to finish eighth, that I was inexperienced and would be sacked after five matches, with people already thinking about who should replace me,” Chivu said.

“Instead we kept going, thanks to a group of men who from the start aimed to be competitive.”

Mister Cristian Chivu parla di Filippo Serantoni, ragazzo classe 2010 dell'Under 16 nerazzurra tornato a giocare a calcio dopo un brutto incidente 🤩🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/SSSxQ4WtBC

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) April 16, 2026

Mood Shifts After Derby Win  

Chivu believes media coverage of Inter shifted entirely after the Valentine’s Day win over Juventus, when Alessandro Bastoni was accused of diving to get an opponent sent off and then celebrating the red card.

"It has become a media pillory from every point of view, for Inter and for a player. That's where the narrative changes,” Chivu said.

“But I've never been confrontational and I've never worn masks. I've tried not to talk about referees and I ⁠haven't done so. If we're ⁠at this point in the ‌season and someone doesn't like what I say, that's not my problem.”