Chivu for the title, Inzaghi almost dismissed? » Mancini could leave the former coach of Inter without a job!
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Tuesday, April 14, 2026 7:35 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, April 14, 2026 7:37 p.m.
Simone Inzaghi (50 years old) has his position as coach in danger, after what Al-Hilal was eliminated in the “eighths” of the Asian Champions League on penalty kicks (score 3-3, 2-4) by Al-Saddthe Qatari team trained by Roberto Mancini.
While Cristi Chivu is very close to winning the Scudetto with Inter in his first full season in Serie A, the coach he replaced is under threat of sacking again. His situation at Al-Hilal was complicated by a compatriot, who defeated him in the Asian Champions League.
With six rounds remaining in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal are five points behind Al-Nassr and fans are furious
Simone Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini, both former champion technicians with Inter, faced off in the quarter-finals of the competition and the Qatari technician prevailed in Jeddah. After 3-3 at the end of extra time, Benzema and Boabre, respectively Roberto Firmino, missed the penalty shootout.
Simone Inzaghi missed the Asian Champions League goal with Al-Hilal / Photo: Imago
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that “Fans of the Riyadh club returned from Jeddah last night in dismayafter Al-Hilal's multi-million dollar outfit were knocked out of the Asian Champions League by Al Sadd, led by Roberto Mancini, who also received the news of winning the Qatari championship. For Mancini, it was double joy, while for Simone, the disappointments are multiplying”.
The anger of the Saudi fans is accentuated by the bad situation in the championship. With six rounds remaining in the Pro League, Simone Inzaghi's side are five points behind Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's side, led by Jorge Jesus, who won the title with Al Hilal two seasons ago.
Two other things make Inzaghi's situation worse. In the 17th leg, Al-Hilal had a seven-point lead over Al-Nassr. Then, after five draws in seven games, with just 11 points collected from 21, Al-Nassr's rivals went five points ahead.
“Guardiola is attracted to Riyadh, Inzaghi risks leaving soon!”
“Inzaghi has lost 12 points in two and a half months in the title race. In January, he also signed Benzema from Al-Ittihad and although he is unbeaten in the league, his chances of being champions have dwindled drastically”writes the pink daily.
The second aggravating factor is tactics. In Saudi Arabia, both the fans and the management of Al-Hilal themselves criticize Inzaghi for his style of play, which they consider overly conservative. The coach is anchored in a three-man defense, which does not give the results hoped for by the former coach of Inter
– La Gazzetta dello SportItalian daily
Pep Guardiola won the English League Cup again on Sunday // photo: Imago
There was talk of his departure at the end of February, but he was saved by a lack of alternatives. Now, the position the coach with an annual salary of 26 million euros is in jeopardy again and Simone is unlikely to coach Al Hilal next season.
Gazzetta dello Sport also offers a bombshell: “Guardiola dreams of reaching Riyadh and it remains to be seen if the money will be enough to convince the Catalan coach, who is likely to leave City and is expected to take a sabbatical. However, Pep is far away, and Inzaghi risks leaving soon”.
