Cristian Chivu wasn't the most popular choice when Inter Milan handed him the reins, but the Romanian manager has silenced the doubters in spectacular fashion. Leading the Nerazzurri to a historic domestic double—winning both Serie A and the Coppa Italia in his debut season—Chivu has proven that sometimes the boldest decisions yield the greatest rewards. Now, according to CBS Sports, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta is set to sit down with Chivu in the coming days to discuss a contract extension through at least 2028, complete with a well-deserved salary bump. It's a fitting reward for a coach who took over at a low point and turned the club's fortunes around.

Chivu's achievement is no small feat. By clinching Inter's 21st Serie A title and following it up with a 2-0 Coppa Italia win over Lazio, he joined an elite group of Inter managers: Roberto Mancini (2006) and Jose Mourinho (2010)—the latter of whom coached Chivu during his playing days as a key defender in that legendary treble-winning side. The domestic double is a rare jewel in Inter's crown, with only Juventus (most recently in 2018 under Massimiliano Allegri) managing it more often in recent years.

What makes Chivu's success even more impressive is the context. At the end of the 2024-25 season, Inter looked like a team in crisis—trophy-less and humiliated 5-0 by PSG in the Champions League final. When Chivu arrived in Milan, the mood was bleak. He had to rebuild not just tactics, but the team's mentality. Key players were tested during the 2025 Club World Cup, and while rumors of a major overhaul swirled, the club opted for patience, delaying big decisions for another year. That hesitation now feels like a masterstroke, though it also hints that significant changes may still be on the horizon.

For now, though, Chivu has earned his moment. Winning is hard; winning again is even harder. But with a new deal on the table, the former Parma boss has shown he's ready for the challenge.