Simone Inzaghi tipped to succeed Mikel Arteta as Arsenal manager

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 13 Nov 2024 16:37 GMT
• 4 min read

Inter Milan legend Marco Materazzi says that Simone Inzaghi is the right profile to take over from Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

The future of Arteta has been questioned recently after a poor run of form that has seen the Gunners fall out of the title race, nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

The departure of Arteta’s key ally Edu has also raised further doubts over the Spaniard.

One manager who has been heavily linked to the Premier League’s biggest clubs in recent months is Inter boss Simone Inzaghi.

Inzaghi has won multiple trophies with the Nerazzurri since replacing Antonio Conte in 2021, including the Scudetto last season.

He also reached the 2023 Champions League final where they lost narrowly 1-0 to Man City.

Former Inter and Italy hardman Materazzi, who was one of the stars at the 2006 World Cup, believes that Inzaghi could be a good option for Arsenal.

He adds that Inzaghi, whose Inter contract runs out in 2026, would be an excellent successor to Pep Guardiola if he does leave City at the end of his contract this season.

What did Materazzi say?

"I am an Inter fan so I hope he stays at Inter because his job is not finished yet," Materazzi told The Italian Football Podcast.

"But I think he has a good profile for the Premier League.

"Mikel Arteta is one of the best at Arsenal. But Arsenal is one club who Simone could be good for.

"Manchester United, too.

"What about Manchester City? Nobody knows what Pep will do.

"I just hope he stays at Inter."

Materazzi spent 10 years as a player at Inter, winning multiple Scudetti and being part of Jose Mourinho’s treble winners in 2010.

But the former centre back is most famous for his exploits at the 2006 World Cup, as he was a key player in Italy winning the tournament.

He scored two goals – including Italy’s equaliser in the final against France. He also scored a penalty in the shootout.

But it was the headbutt he received from Zinedine Zidane in extra time – which saw the Frenchman sent off in the final game of his career – that will go down in infamy.