Inzaghi leaves Champions League runners-up Inter

Simone Inzaghi has parted company with Champions League runners-up Inter, ahead of an expected move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Inter were crushed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the biggest game in European club football last Saturday – the most comprehensive scoreline in any European Cup or Champions Cup final in history.

That result capped a demoralising end to the season for the Nerazzurri, who had at one point looked to be on for a treble.

They were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by rivals Milan and lost out on the Serie A title on the final day of the campaign, finishing a single point behind Napoli.

After the Champions League final, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta insisted the result had not called Inzaghi's position into question and said the club's hierarchy would meet with their head coach to discuss his future.

However, reports subsequently suggested Inzaghi was keen on a move to Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal looking to attract a big-name coach ahead of the Club World Cup.

On Tuesday, Inter confirmed Inzaghi had left by mutual consent, with Marotta saying: "On behalf of our main shareholder Oaktree and the entire club, I want to thank Simone Inzaghi for his hard work, passion, and also sincerity in today's meeting, which has yielded the mutual decision to part ways. 

"Only when you have fought together every day to achieve success can you have an open and honest dialogue, such as we have had today."

Inzaghi leaves Inter having delivered one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia triumphs and three Supercoppa Italiana wins. He led the Nerazzurri to two Champions League showpieces but they were beaten on both occasions, also going down to Manchester City in the 2023 final.

In a message posted to the club's website, Inzaghi said: "The time has come for me to say goodbye to this club after a four-year-long journey, throughout which I gave my all. 

"Every day, my first and last thought was always about Inter. It was then reciprocated with professionalism and passion by the players, leaders, and every single one of the club's employees. 

"The six trophies we won, including the second-star (20th) Scudetto, together with our Champions League journeys in 2023 and just a few days ago, are living proof of how much my work was supported by a shared understanding with my staff and every part of the club. 

"On every difficult day, just like today, I think it's right to reiterate this sense of gratitude, even for the meeting that we had not long ago. We were sincere and together we decided to conclude this magnificent journey. 

"I want to dedicate one last word to the millions of Nerazzurri fans who cheered me on, those who cried and suffered during the lows, and then laughed and celebrated at the six triumphs that we experienced together. I will never forget you."

Inzaghi leaves Inter with the best win ratio of any coach in their history (all competitions, since Serie A was founded in 1929-30).

He won 65% of his matches in charge of the Nerazzurri, putting him ahead of Aldo Olivieri (63.2%), Antonio Conte (62.7%), Jose Mourinho (62%) and Luigi Simoni (61.6%).

Inter will now look to appoint a new coach ahead of their own Club World Cup campaign, which begins against Monterrey at the Rose Bowl on June 17.

Inzaghi's first match in charge of Al-Hilal will be against Real Madrid, in their opening Group H game at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 18.