Chivu Already Working Behind the Scenes at Inter Ahead of Club World Cup

• Cristian Chivu is set to be officially unveiled as Inter’s new head coach
• Preparation for the Club World Cup debut against Monterrey has already begun
• The 3-5-2 will be the starting point tactically, but changes may follow
• Several players already contacted, with the full squad to gather in Los Angeles by June 13

Cristian Chivu may not yet be officially announced as Inter’s new manager, but the Romanian has wasted no time getting to work. With the Club World Cup on the horizon, he has already started evaluating the squad, outlining his tactical plans, and preparing for the team’s trip to the United States. Inter will debut against Monterrey on the night of June 17–18, giving Chivu less than ten days to make his mark.

Early Planning and Player Contact

Chivu, 44, has already been in touch with several players and is working closely with the Inter management team to finalize preparations. Despite national team commitments and ongoing vacation periods, communication lines are open. Lautaro Martínez, for example, is expected to join the group directly in Los Angeles on June 13, but that won’t be the first time he hears from his new coach.

Inter will depart for Los Angeles on Wednesday, with several Azzurri players currently on international duty scheduled to fly straight to the U.S. They will be given two days off before rejoining the group. The squad list must be submitted to FIFA by Tuesday, and key inclusions are expected to be Pio and Sebastiano Esposito, as well as Valentin Carboni and Tomas Palacios.

Coaching Staff and Tactical Approach

Chivu’s staff is almost finalized. Angelo Palombo will join him from Parma, alongside tactical analyst Mario Cecchi and fitness coach Stefano Rapetti. With little time for preparation, Chivu will initially stick with Inter’s familiar 3-5-2 system, the same formation used under Inzaghi and Conte. However, he is known for his tactical flexibility and is open to shifting toward a four-man defense as the season progresses.

The Club World Cup isn’t just another preseason tournament, it holds significant weight for Inter’s ownership, both in terms of image and financial gain. Chivu understands the stakes and is determined to hit the ground running.

Ready for the Challenge

Chivu’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Nerazzurri. While fans may be curious to see how the former defender transitions into a high-pressure coaching role at the top level, those who’ve worked with him describe a leader who balances fiery dressing room motivation with composed public communication.

As the countdown begins to Inter’s Club World Cup debut, one thing is certain: Chivu is already putting his stamp on the squad, even before officially taking the reins.