With just 2 weeks to go before Inter Milan kick off their Serie A 2016-17 campaign, the owners have taken a major decision in sacking their manager Roberto Mancini. The man who is in charge at the San Siro for his second spell since 2014 has been terminated under mutual agreement.
However, the club hierarchy is quick to appoint Dutch Legend Frank de Boer as his immediate successor. The ex-Ajax manager has already left the Ajax hot seat after conceding the title to PSV Eindhoven on the final match day of the Eredivisie.
It was largely speculated that Mancini’s future is in doubt after the club had a new owner with the Chinese takeover. Mancini couldn’t quite live up to the expectation during his second spell and failed to replicate a bit of what he achieved in his 1st spell. In the ongoing pre-season friendly matches the Nerazzurri lost 6-1 to Tottenham, which turned out to be the last match for the 51-year-old.
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It was also reported that Mancini had recently fallen out with the new owners due to lack of transfer activity. Inter Milan became the 1st Serie A side to be under a Chinese company when Suning Holdings acquired 68.55% share of the club. However, ex-owner Erick Thohir remains the president of the club. Commenting on the takeover he said
"This new partnership with the Suning Holdings Group means Inter are taking a revolutionary step into the future.
"In the past two and a half years we have built on a solid foundation, making the club stronger. Now this new partnership will allow us to take a new, decisive step forward in our bid to restore Inter to their rightful place among the world's top clubs."
Suning Holdings Group chairman Zhang Jindong said on inter.it:
"This historic agreement gives Inter an opportunity to experience unprecedented growth in China so that our country will become a second home for the Nerazzurri.
"Furthermore, Suning's investments and resources will help Inter return to their glory days and become stronger and stronger, attracting the stars of world football."
The club management is desperate to restore the Italian Giants in the European map and are ready to spend. But the recent turn of events and the friendly results didn’t do any favour to Mancini, who himself agreed to leave the post.
Inter finished 4th this season under Mancini and have gradually declined since their memorable UCL conquering season 2010. Mancini won 3 Serie A titles and a total of 7 trophies from 2004-2008, during his 1st San Siro reign. He returned to Milan in 2014 but didn’t manage to replicate the success and has to now leave the job with which he had a contract till 2017.
Incoming boss Frank de Boer, 46, is a proven manager in his homeland, having guided Ajax to 4 Eredivisie titles in his 6 years charge. However, this will be the 1st time he will be facing a challenge outside his country.
