Feeling Betrayed By Inzaghi, Lotito: We Shook Hands, But ...

JAKARTA - Simone Inzaghi has just said goodbye to Lazio after 22 years of serving as a player and coach. President Claudio Lotito admitted that he was disappointed with the coach's decision.

In a long meeting and dinner on Wednesday, Inzaghi is likely to agree to a contract extension in the Italian capital until June 2024. However, he later accepted Inter Milan's offer to replace Antonio Conte.

“I am personally disappointed. He changed his mind from last night to this morning, ”said Lotito to Calciomercato.com.

"The contract is ready, I've signed it. He was supposed to meet with Calveri's secretary to sign it too, but he never showed up.

“He called, told me he had decided to leave. We spent seven hours together yesterday, we reached an agreement and even shook hands.

"He (later) told me that he had no motivation anymore, it would not be able to raise the spirits of the players. When someone says that, how do you think about keeping it?

"If he says he's leaving, I won't prepare a new contract."

Lotito's bitterness over the change in Inzaghi's decision was evident in the club's official statement and throughout this interview, he never mentioned the coach's name.

Inzaghi was at Lazio for more than 21 years as a player and then coach, winning the Coppa Italia and two editions of the Italian Super Cup.

Simone Inzaghi to Inter, done and completed. He's going to be the new manager to replace Antonio Conte, contract set to be signed in the next hours. Here we go confirmed. ⚫️🔵🤝 #Inter

- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2021

The tactician said he was annoyed last week at having to wait 16 months for a new contract, as his deal expires on June 30.

The delay backfired on Lazio, as Inzaghi was then free to agree on terms with Inter.