Not a fool: Inter coach Chivu reveals adaptations made during the campaign

Chivus team holds a nine point lead at the summit of Serie A, as the 45 year old now spearheads a championship push that has transformed views on both the squad and the manager, who faced considerably less pressure at the campaigns outset.

The Inter manager faced questions during a press briefing prior to Fridays home clash against Cagliari about whether he has evolved or if it is others perceptions that have shifted.

I might be various things but I am certainly no fool, Chivu stated.

Life has shown me how to adjust to situations and stories, to my position and the authority I hold. If initially the message I aimed to deliver to the team led me to express ideas in a specific manner then as events unfolded those ideas evolved.

Since everything altered I made the necessary adjustments.

Scepticism surrounded Chivus hiring when the club opted for an untried coach to succeed Simone Inzaghi, who had secured the league crown and guided Inter to two Champions League finals.

Chivu, once an Inter defender who started his managerial path with the clubs youth setup, had managed just 13 fixtures in his sole top flight role with Parma the previous term. Inter dropping points in two of their first three outings hardly bolstered his position.

We kicked off with apparent goals of merely reaching eighth place, me being green and facing dismissal after five games, folks already plotting my successor, Chivu remarked.

Yet we persisted due to a committed group of players who right from the beginning sought to compete fiercely.

Shift in coverage post Valentines triumph

Chivu feels that media attention on Inter transformed entirely following the Valentines Day victory against Juventus, where Alessandro Bastoni was criticised for allegedly simulating to earn an opponents ejection before gloating over the dismissal.

It turned into widespread media condemnation from all angles targeting Inter and one player. That marked the turning point in the story, Chivu explained.

However I have never sought conflict and never hid behind pretences. I have avoided discussing officials and stuck to that. If at this stage of the season certain individuals dislike my words that is hardly my concern.