Moratti may end Gasperini's Inter Milan reign

Gian Piero Gasperini is on the brink of being sacked as coach of Inter Milan just five matches into his reign.

Club president Massimo Moratti indicated this morning that a change of coach was imminent after Gasperini’s dismal start to life at the San Siro.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has already been linked with the post, as has former Palermo coach Delio Rossi.

Inter, treble-winning European champions just 16 months ago, suffered their fourth defeat in five games with a shock 3-1 reverse at newly-promoted Novara last night.

Gasperini’s side are winless in Serie A, with just one point from their first three games, and could drop to the foot of the table after the remaining midweek fixtures are played.

The Nerazzurri’s Champions League campaign also kicked off with a home loss to unfancied Trabzonspor last week, and it appears the performance against Novara has been the final straw for Moratti.

Following last night’s result, Moratti said he felt Gasperini did not have sufficient control of the side, and today confirmed he is ready to act.

Asked by reporters outside the club’s Saras offices whether Gasperini would be retained, Moratti replied: “I don’t think so.

“We will see what we do today. But his situation seems to me a very difficult one, from every point of view.

“When you lose in such a way, there’s nothing you like.”

Gasperini, who only took charge of the club in June as Leonardo’s replacement, signing a two-year deal, earlier hit back at speculation he might not be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Bologna while dismissing talk of a dressing room revolt.

“Moratti has declared that I don’t have the support of the players? The harmony of the group is very good,” Gasperini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“If the problem is the coach, then it has an easy solution. If instead, as I believe, the problem is another one, then we must resolve it through work.”

The 53-year-old added on www.inter.it: “The relationship with the players is great, more than professional, and there’s no revolt going on.

“I will say what I think directly to the president and the directors.

“There’s no need to reset everything, but to recognise the reality of the latest performances. It’s necessary to reach a greater consistency, regardless of the formations and the coach.”

Novara’s win was their first in the top flight in 55 years, having secured promotion back to Serie A last season,

Riccardo Meggiorini put the home side in front in the 38th minute before a penalty from Marco Rigoni four minutes from the end gave them a two-goal cushion. Esteban Cambiasso pulled a goal back for Inter in the last minute but Rigoni completed the scoring in stoppage time.

“This match was certainly a kick in the teeth, but I have to think of doing my job,” Gasperini said.

“I’m serious about my work, which has given me much satisfaction in the past, and now it is putting me to the test. But I have to work in order to resolve this situation.”

Inter’s weekend clash with Bologna is followed on Tuesday by their second Champions League Group B outing against CSKA Moscow in Russia.