Inter Milan sack manager Frank De Boer ahead of Southampton clash

Frank De Boer has been sacked as manager of Inter Milan

INTER MILAN have sacked manager Frank De Boer ahead of Thursday's trip to Southampton.

De Boer, who had never previously coached or played in Italy, was appointed only two weeks before the start of the season after Roberto Mancini left by mutual consent.

He became Inter's eighth coach since Jose Mourinho left in 2010 after winning a Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble.

But the 46-year-old Dutchman led Inter to just four league wins in his opening 11 outings, leaving them 12th in the Serie A table.

And Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria - De Boer's seventh of the season - was the final straw for the Inter hierarchy.

The former Ajax boss has been dismissed at the San Siro, with Inter's youth team manager Stefano Vecchi replacing him on a temporary basis.

Vecchi, 45, will take charge of Inter's Europa League Group K clash at Southampton on Thursday.

F.C. Internazionale statement https://t.co/udFc7LLS5E #FCIM pic.twitter.com/XsRhuIcHWe
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter_en) November 1, 2016

A club statement read: "Internazionale Milano announce today that they have parted company with head coach Frank De Boer with immediate effect.

"Inter Primavera coach Stefano Vecchi will take temporary charge of the first team of Thursday's UEFA Europa League match against Southampton.

"Inter would like to place on record its thanks to Frank and his coaching tam for their work with the club over the past months and wishes them the best for the future."

De Boer admitted it would be a difficult challenge to turn Inter's season around after the Sampdoria loss but was adamant he was the right man to carry on.

"I'm happy to be here and I believe we can change this situation," he said. "The situation is difficult and I see that we perform well in fits and starts but not for a whole match.

And when quizzed about his position as coach, he added: "You'll have to talk to the club."