FRANK DE BOER has been sacked as coach of Inter Milan and will be replaced on an interim basis by Stefano Vecchi for the Europa League tie with Southampton this week.
Inter’s new Chinese owners Suning appointed Dutchman de Boer as a replacement for Roberto Mancini two weeks before the start of the Serie A season.
After investing heavily in players over the summer, Inter — Italy’s last Champions League winners, in 2010 — were expected to challenge five-time consecutive champions Juventus for the Serie A title, as well as signal their return to Europe by challenging for the Europa League.
But with only four league wins in 11 games Inter are well off the pace. They slipped to below mid-table at 13 points behind leaders Juventus following a 1-0 defeat at Sampdoria on Sunday.
In Europe, de Boer’s men have been a disaster. They sit bottom of Group K behind leaders Sparta Prague and Israeli side Hapoel Be’er-Sheva, who stunned Inter 2-0 at the San Siro.
Sunday’s loss at Sampdoria prompted a fan backlash on social media calling for de Boer’s removal.
And the club has confirmed this morning that the former Ajax coach has departed and been replaced by Vecchi, the club’s youth team coach, for the trip to Southampton later this week.
He could be succeeded by former Lazio coach Stefano Pioli on a more permanent basis, however.
