The former Lazio and Inter coach, currently in charge of Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, turns 50 today. He is approaching the end of his first season in charge of Al-Hilal, who are currently second in the Saudi Pro League, five points behind Cristian Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr with seven games left in the season.
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“It is a fantastic situation in Saudi Arabia from all points of view: the lifestyle, the sporting and non-sporting infrastructure, the tranquility that accompanies you even in a stressful job like mine,” Inzaghi told Libertà in an interview published on his birthday.
Inzaghi on the Italy national team and his personal future: “Fortunately, I didn’t need money”
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 25: Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi controls a soccer ball during training prior to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match between Al Hilal and CF Pachuca at the Nashville SC training facility on June 25, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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The topic of conversation soon turned to Italy’s latest failure to qualify for the World Cup following their penalty shootout loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night.
“I am very sorry that Italy will not be present at the World Cup for the third consecutive time,” said Inzaghi.
“I am 100% Italian, my brother also won a World Cup. Italian football will recover, I am sure. That said, I left Italian football for several reasons.”
The most obvious of those “reasons” is the significant salary increase Inzaghi reportedly received when he decided to move to the Saudi Pro League. However, he insists that this was not the only motivation behind his decision to leave Italy.
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“Wrong. Earning a lot is a pleasure, obviously, but other factors pushed me here. Fortunately, I didn’t need money.”
Simone Inzaghi is the new coach of Al-Hilal (@AlHilal_FC)
“The desire to try a completely new experience in a completely new environment. The years I spent at Inter were very satisfying from a professional point of view, but also very stressful. I felt the need to experience football at a high level, but disconnect from a load of pressure that had become very heavy.”
Inzaghi’s name has been mentioned by some media in Italy as a potential candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach of the national team. However, he has effectively ruled himself out of the race.
“I feel flattered, but like I said, I’m fine here and I have one more year on my contract with Al-Hilal.”