Inzaghi says ‘it was not easy to move on’ as he will now be the new head coach of Lazio’s rivals Inter Millan.
The Italian coach had been with Lazio since April 2016 and brought an end to his five-year stay at the Stadio Olimpico to an end following the conclusion of the 2020/2021 season.
During his time with Le Aquile, Inzaghi won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana twice before guiding the club to play in the 2020/2021 Champions League group stage, the first time since 2007-08.
Inzaghi will be replacing Antonio Conte, who left his post few weeks after guiding the Nerazzurri to their first Scudetto since the 2009/2010 season, at the San Siro.
He wrote an open letter to Lazio fans via Il Corriere dello Sport, to explain his decision to leave the club after 22 years.
“Dear Lazio fans, I was only 23 when I arrived in Rome. I was just a guy with dreams and ambitions who wanted to become a famous footballer. Lazio offered me an amazing opportunity to reach my goals. I’d never imagined it would have become my home and my family.
“It’s not rhetoric, it’s reality. I’ve become a man with all of you, living amazing years. I will never forget the joys and the tears. The victories and the defeats that gave me sleepless nights. I will always bring all this with me.
“That’s why it wasn’t easy to move on. It’s not something you can do in a minute or a week. It will take time to understand and elaborate the emotions and such a radical change.
“I have no problems in admitting that leaving Lazio was one of the most complicated choices in my career. I haven’t even had the strength to clear out my locker in Formello. I do not want to discuss the reasons that led me to take this decision. Everybody could have done better, but I don’t want to create controversy. I’ve never done so.
“Biancocelest only means love to me. I could have never fulfilled the dream of coaching my favourite team if it wasn’t for President Claudio Lotito and sporting director Igli Tare.
“At the same time, I am a professional who loves his job and my determination and ambition bring me far away from Rome and I can’t deny I am totally focused on my new adventure at Inter.
“But I will miss you, fans, friends and mates every day, and I wanted to let you know. I am not a man of many words, but I want to make an exception, also because the more the days pass and the more my thoughts come out of my heart.
“I gave everything I could. Even to the detriment of my family, my health and my vocal cords. Believe me, the first thing I’ll do when the fixture list is released, is to check the day I return to the Olimpico. And I’m telling you right now, I’ll come under the Curva Nord to say goodbye.
