Inter sack Frank De Boer

Frank de Boer

Frank de Boer has been sacked as coach of Inter Milan after the Serie A giants slipped to 13 points off the pace in Italy’s top flight.

“Inter Milan announces that Frank de Boer has been relieved of his duties as first-team coach,” said a club statement.

“The first-team squad will be taken over provisionally by our youth team coach, Stefano Vecchi, who will be on the bench for the Europa League game against Southampton.

“The club would like to thank Frank and his staff for their contribution and wish them all the best for the future.”

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 midtable 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.

After Monday’s public holiday in Italy, reports on Tuesday say de Boer could be sacked within hours.

La Gazzetta dello Sport daily said the former Ajax coach will be replaced by Vecchi, the club’s youth team coach, for the trip to Southampton later this week.

He could be replaced by former Lazio coach Stefano Pioli on a more permanent basis, according to the report.

AFP