Chivu, after a short spell in charge of Parma, was named Inter coach before the Club World Cup, having both played for the Nerazzurri and also work as Primavera coach.
Zanetti said: “They were looking for someone who was at home, who knew the environment. Cristian was a former teammate of mine, he knows the club, he has personality, he knows this fan base. He's the perfect person.”
On Inzaghi's departure for Al-Hilal, the Argentine also told Clank!: "He's done an extraordinary job in four years, and our relationship has always been excellent.
"Distracted? We were all focused on the Champions League final; no one thought about what happened afterward. I don't know, but that's how it went: there was talk about this because we lost, but I want to thank Simone for what he did."