According to reports, Simone Inzaghi secured his place among Italy’s coaching greats like Carlo Ancelotti, Marcello Lippi, and Fabio Capello by leading Inter Milan to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Barcelona, booking their spot in the Champions League final.

Inzaghi, who couldn’t reach his peak as a player due to injuries, has achieved coaching success that every footballer dreams of. As a player, he scored 90 goals and won all domestic Italian trophies. Now, as a coach with Lazio and Inter, he has won one Serie A title, three Coppa Italia trophies, and five Italian Super Cups (more than any other coach).

Inzaghi said after his brother Filippo’s promotion to Serie A with Pisa: “I wanted to gift my father a great week.” That wish has now come true.

In 2023, he led Inter to the Champions League final but lost to Manchester City (1-0). Now, it’s time to complete the cycle and fulfill Guardiola’s prophecy of lifting the trophy. After the 2023 final, Guardiola said: “Inzaghi should know the team he manages is the second-best in Europe. He will return to the final.”

Guardiola also described Inzaghi as “highly underrated” and praised Inter’s defense, ball movement, physicality, and Inzaghi’s tactical organization after their first-leg win over Barcelona.

Luis Alberto, Inzaghi’s former player at Lazio, praised him for his exceptional man-management. Despite losing stars like Achraf Hakimi, Romelu Lukaku, Milan Škriniar, Marcelo Brozović, and André Onana, Inzaghi has turned Inter into an even stronger team. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta called Inzaghi “the pillar of this model” and “the greatest architect” of the team’s success.

Inzaghi, who fulfilled his dream of playing in Serie A and for the Italian national team, has now achieved greatness as a coach. He said: “Our team was never arrogant. We deserve this final, and now we must enjoy it.” Inter has trailed for only 10 minutes and 54 seconds in the Champions League this season, with Federico Dimarco calling Inzaghi the team’s leader in tough moments.

With Inter, Inzaghi has won one Scudetto, a Coppa Italia after 11 years, three unprecedented Super Cups, and reached two Champions League finals in three years.

He proudly said: “Our team was never arrogant. We deserve this final, and now we must enjoy it.” Winning the final would be another story, but Inzaghi has proven he deserves praise. Hail Simone Inzaghi.