Inter Milan fires Luciano Spalletti

World
Europe

Inter Milan from Serie A have sacked their manager Luciano Spalletti. "FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that Luciano Spalletti is no longer Head Coach of the First Team. The Club wishes to thank Spalletti for his work and the results achieved together," said the Italian club in an official statement on Thursday.

Spalletti joined Inter in 2017 and led the team in its return to the UEFA Champions League, in his first season. In 2018, the club extended his contract to 2021. In the past 2018-19 season, Spalletti again helped Inter enter the Champions League.

Luciano Spalletti (L), former manager and Zhang Kangyang (R), chairman of Inter Milan shake hands. /VCG Photo

Zhang Kangyang (Steven Zhang), chairman of Inter Milan, called the 60-year-old a "teacher," a "friend" and expressed his gratitude towards Spalletti on social media. However, the remarks do not cover the fact that the two years the Italian manager spent coaching Inter were nothing but controversial.

Of the 90 games Inter played under Spalletti, the team won 45 of them but the 50 percent of winning rate was lower than his record with Roma (54.38 percent, 66.7 percent) and Zenit Saint Petersburg (57.54 percent).

Antonio Conte is reportedly to become the new manager of Inter Milan. /VCG Photo

Spalletti failed to meet Inter's expectation in European competitions. This season, the Nerazzurri were first knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League and then lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in Round of 16 at the UEFA Europa League. He also lost control of Inter's locker room and fell out with the team's No.1 player Mauro Icardi, just like he did with Francesco Totti at Roma.

According to Sky Sports, Inter has already reached an agreement with Antonio Conte who will be the new manager of the club. As Inter were already removed from Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanction by the UEFA, they have a bigger budget for squad improvements this summer.