Simone Inzaghi succeeds Antonio Conte as Inter Milan manager

Former Italy international moves to the San Siro on two-year deal after five years at Lazio

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 18, 2020 Lazio's Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi shouts instructions to his players from the touchline during the Italian Serie A football match Lazio Rome vs Sampdoria on January 18, 2020 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. Serie A champions Inter Milan have named Simone Inzaghi as their new coach following the departure of Antonio Conte, the club announced on June 03, 2021.  / AFP / Alberto PIZZOLI
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Simone Inzaghi has been named the new manager of Inter Milan after the former Italy international signed a two-year contract.

The Serie A champions had been in the market for a manager following the departure by "mutual consent" of Antonio Conte last week, just three weeks after he led the club to their first scudetto in 11 years.

Inzaghi, the younger brother of former Juventus and AC Milan striker Filippo, left Lazio last week after a five-year spell in charge, turning down an offer of a contract extension to instead take up the challenge at Inter.

Inzaghi, 45, enjoyed a successful spell at Lazio, leading the Rome club to the Coppa Italia in the 2018/19 season and two Italian Super Cups.

Inzaghi's appointment means eight of the clubs that finished in the top 10 of Serie A have changed manager since the end of the season.

The Italian may be taking over the champions, but he is set to contend with a number of challenges that saw Conte choose to walk away.

Inter's cash-strapped Chinese owners, Suning Group, have outlined a number of cost-cutting measures which will not only limit their manoeuvrability in the summer transfer market but could also see a number of star players sold in the off-season.

Inter have started by saving a significant amount of money on their manager's salary. Inzaghi will reportedly earn €4 million ($4.9m) annually, almost three times less than Conte.

Still, versatile Morocco star Achraf Hakimi and Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez could depart this summer.

Hakimi, 22, is drawing strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain, while the 23-year-old Martinez has been linked with a move to Spain.

Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar is another player who could leave, although club officials have insisted they will limit the sales of first-team regulars.

However, the biggest intrigue surrounds the future of star striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian, reported to be valued at around €80m, is understood to be attracting interest from former club Chelsea, but he reiterated his commitment to Inter.

"Yes, I'm staying at Inter. Maybe I shouldn't say it yet but I've already talked with the man who is likely to become the new coach. It was a very positive conversation," Lukaku told Belgian broadcaster VTM.

Inter will be Inzaghi's second job in club management. He coached the youth teams at Lazio, where he spent much of his playing career, before taking over the main role in 2016.

He led Lazio to the last 16 of the Champions League last season, the club's first appearance in Europe's premier club competition since 2007-08.

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