Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu, Sergiu Alexandru – Published Tuesday, January 27, 2026 23:59 / Updated Wednesday, January 28, 2026 00:11
Romanian football could give, in the summer of this year, a real blow to its image! According to Gazeta Sporturilor information, verified from several sources, Cristi Chivu (45 years old) entered the short list of real madrid for the position of head coach.
It could be the news of the year for Romanian football, and Cristian Chivu becomes the new coach of Real Madrid from the summer!
It has never happened in history that a Romanian was on the bench of the “galactics”. Only Gică Hagi played at the Bernabeu as a player, wearing the shirt of Real Madrid between 1990 and 1992, for 84 matches, with 20 goals in all competitions.
Cristi Chivu is doing an excellent job at Inter. Photo: Imago
After the departure of Xabi Alonso from the “Santiago Bernabeu”, Real Madrid chose, for the moment, Alvaro Arbeloa. However, the leadership of the “galacticos” continued the search.
Cristi Chivu's name is on the shortlist of Florentino Pérez, the president of the club that has won 15 Champions League trophies.
Real Madrid was interested in Chivu
The information from the entourage of the Romanian technician indicates a clear interest from the Madrid club, which is carefully analyzing the Chivu option for a medium and long-term project.
Sources close to Chivu confirm that Madrid have taken a direct interest in his availability and talks, albeit unofficial, have taken place.
Pietro Chiodi, the impresario with whom Chivu collaborates, was asked about the possibility of the Romanian reaching “main” at Real Madrid.
According to GSP.RO information, including important people from Romanian football, they were called in the last few days from Madrid to gather references about Cristi Chivu.
Chivu has a contract with Inter until June 2027
There is a clear embargo, imposed on all involved, that prohibits any statement related to a possible move.
Just as it happened in the case of the possible transfer of Radu Drăgușin to Bayern Munich, when the interest of the Bavarians became known only after Radu chose Tottenham, in the same way now there is total discretion around this subject.
It is important to state that, in the summer, Chivu will still be under contract with Inter. He signed for two seasons, and the contractual release is foreseen only in the summer of 2027.
He refused Real Madrid as a footballer!
In 2007, Cristi Chivu refused proposals from Real Madrid and Barcelona. The first time he was called by Inter, then by Real. Then, Chivu wanted to Inter.
Cristi Chivu, after the 2010 Italian Cup final, Inter – Roma 1-0/ photo Imago Images
Cristi Chivu started football in Reșita, and in 1998 he arrived at Craiova University for 225,000 euros. After moving from Reșita to Craiova University in 1998, Cristi Chivu left Bănie after only one year and signed with Ajax, in exchange for 2.5 million euros.
In 2003 he arrived at AS Roma for 18 million euros, and in 2007 at Inter, for 16 million euros. In 2014, the Romanian ended his career as a professional footballer.
Chivu is the leader in Italy with Inter
Cristi Chivu's path to Spain was opened by the excellent performances achieved in Italy.
The Romanian technician caught the eye after saving Parma from relegation to the second division in an extremely complicated season, showing composure, tactical intelligence and the ability to manage difficult dressing rooms.
This rapid ascent propelled him to Inter Milan, a club with which he signed on June 9, 2025.
The move was a spectacular one, and the salary of 2.5 million euros per season confirms his status as a coach on a clear upward trajectory.
Under Chivu's command, Inter leads the Italian championship, occupying first place with 52 points.
AC Milan are five points adrift with 47, while AS Roma and Napoli have amassed 43 points each. The fight is close, but Inter have a solid advantage.
The results are the most important. It's like a washing machine that runs all the time and you're banging your head against all the walls. You never have peace, you are always under the pressure of results. You play every three days, you don't even have time to train
Cristian Chivu, Inter Milan coach
He was named “Coach of the Year” in the GSP Survey
Moreover, the results of the last year brought Cristi Chivu the official recognition of his value.
He was named coach of the year in the traditional Gazeta Sporturilor survey, a weighty award, where no less than five categories voted: the public, journalists, captains, coaches and club presidents.
Cristi Chivu was designated “Coach of the Year” 2025, in the Gazeta Sporturilor Survey
“It's a profession in which the training you have matters, what you manage to convey, what the players manage to understand. That's the reason why I thank everyone, because I know it's not easy, I know how much training, how much nerves and how much passion each one puts in to be successful”, said Chivu at the time of receiving the trophy.
