Inter Milan are going through the worst season in a long time, and their fans and directors are getting restless and disillusioned with Simone Inzaghi, the coach who seems to have forgotten how to win. The plan is to replace the former Lazio coach before the start of the 2023/24 season – and the primary candidate is Inter’s former player Sergio Conceicao.##NAJAVA_MECA_7161237##The Portuguese tactician was among the candidates in 2021 as well, when the club faced the tough task of replacing Antonio Conte – but Inzaghi looked like the better choice. That decision cost Inter – and will cost even more if they decide to pay a hefty compensation in order to drag the coach away from FC Porto.Inter got to see Conceicao’s work from upclose this year when they met Porto in the Champions League round of 16. That time, the Portuguese side dominated the Nerazzurri, but the Italians squeezed through to the next round the way only Italians know how. Still, Porto’s performances boosted Conceicao’s stock in Europe considerably. The 48-year-old coach, who played for Inter between 2001 and 2003, is adored in the city of Porto. FCP president Pinto Da Costa doesn’t want to lose his charismatic coach, but he knows well that Inter’s call would be hard to ignore. The first contact has been established already – but Inter’s biggest problem popped up shortly: they are pressed for cash.##NAJAVA_MECA_28633##Nobody knows how much Inter would have to pay Porto to be allowed to offer a contract to Conceicao, although there are speculations in Italian and Portuguese press. At first, there were claims that the release clause is worth $20 million, but it’s probably half of that amount. Whatever it is – it’s still too much for Inter’s unstable finances.May 7, 2022: Porto beat Benfica 1-0 at the Luz to seal the league title.April 7, 2023: Porto beat Benfica 2-1 at the Luz to move within seven points of Benfica with seven matches left.Massive performance from Sérgio Conceição’s side. They’re not out of this just yet.. pic.twitter.com/7WqFwpv1ci— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) April 7, 2023 There are more candidates for Inter’s dugout too. A sensational return of Antonio Conte is not impossible, at least according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. Still, the names of Brighton’s Italian boss Roberto De Zerbi and Bologna’s coach Thiago Motta are also touted as options.
