New managers making instant impact as Club World Cup quarter-finals take shape

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Jun 30, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Al Hilal FC head coach Simone Inzaghi in the first half against Manchester City during a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images/File Photo

REUTERS

PHILADELPHIA - The expanded soccer Club World Cup is proving to be a stage for managerial fresh starts, with three of the eight quarter-finalists led by coaches appointed just weeks before the tournament – and all three have already stamped their authority on their new teams.

Arguably none has made a bigger splash than Simone Inzaghi, who delivered one of the tournaments biggest shocks when his Al Hilal side stunned Pep Guardiolas Manchester City 4-3 in a breathtaking extra-time thriller.

The 49-year-old Italian, who left Inter Milan after their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain just five weeks ago, got sweet revenge on Monday against the Premier League giants who had beaten his Nerazzurri in the 2023 Champions League final.

Inzaghi took the win by playing steady, rock-solid defence and exploring the speed of his forwards up-front with long balls that exploited their opponents aggressive, high-positioned defensive line.

Malcom and Marcos Leonardo were a constant menace on the counter-attack throughout the match, while his defenders managed to slow down Citys star-powered attack for most of the game.

And when they were threatened, Moroccan goalkeeper Bono worked