Europe's Most Underrated Manager – Simeone Inzaghi

When Simone Inzaghi was appointed as Inter Milan’s head coach in the summer of 2021, many viewed it as a pragmatic choice rather than an inspired one. He was taking over a club that had just won the Serie A title under Antonio Conte, but with financial turmoil forcing the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, expectations were tempered.

Fast forward to today, and it’s fair to say that Inzaghi has not only met expectations but has also quietly built one of the most tactically astute and successful teams in European football. Despite his achievements, his name rarely comes up in discussions about the elite coaches of the modern era. So, is Simone Inzaghi Europe’s most underrated manager? 

Inzaghi arrived at Inter after a successful spell at Lazio, where he had turned the club into one of the most entertaining sides in Serie A. His tactical flexibility and ability to maximize his squad’s potential had already been evident but Inter was a different challenge altogether. He wasn’t just taking over a team – he was taking over a team that had just been dismantled. Yet, in his first season, he led Inter to a Coppa Italia triumph and a Supercoppa Italiana victory, keeping them competitive despite significant squad changes.  

His second season saw even greater success on the European stage. Under his guidance, Inter made a stunning run to the Champions League final in 2023, defying expectations at every turn. They knocked out Barcelona in the group stage and went on to eliminate Porto, Benfica, and city rivals AC Milan before facing Manchester City in the final. While they fell just short against Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut, Inter had proven themselves as one of Europe’s elite once again.  

Under Inzaghi’s leadership, Inter won the 2023/24 Scudetto, reclaiming their place at the summit of Italian football. But what’s even more impressive is their ongoing campaign. In the 2024/25 season, they are on course for an historic treble, having already secured a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Bayern Munich. In Serie A, they lead the standings after 28 games with 61 points, though Napoli and Atalanta are close behind. Meanwhile, in the Coppa Italia, Inter will face AC Milan in the semi-finals. 

Along the way, Inzaghi’s tactical approach received widespread acclaim, particularly his use of the 3-5-2 system, which allowed Inter to dominate games with defensive solidity and quick transitions. Tactically, Inzaghi has molded Inter into a well-oiled machine that excels in both attack and defense. His system is built around wing-backs who provide width, a midfield trio that dictates play, and two strikers who combine fluid movement with clinical finishing. This setup has allowed Inter to be highly adaptable, capable of both controlling possession and striking with devastating counterattacks. His ability to get the best out of players like Lautaro Martínez, Nicolò Barella, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu has been instrumental in Inter’s continued success. 

One of the key reasons behind Inter’s resurgence under Inzaghi has been his unique tactical approach. Unlike traditional setups, Inzaghi's build-up play features his midfielders dropping deeper than even his three central defenders, while the defenders push higher up the field. This inverted structure has allowed Alessandro Bastoni to thrive, taking up positions more commonly associated with an attacking midfielder. This fluidity in positioning makes Inter incredibly difficult to press and disrupts the defensive shape of their opponents. 

Inzaghi’s tactics have not gone unnoticed. Even managerial greats like Pep Guardiola have commended his innovative approach. With Inter now competing at the highest level in every competition, Inzaghi is proving that he belongs among the elite. If he completes the treble this season, there will be no denying his brilliance any longer. 

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