Inter Milan's Managerial Merry Go Round Continues

Massimo Moratti has continued to live up to his cutthroat reputation by sacking Claudio Ranieri, a day after declaring he would be in the post until the end of season following a 2-0 defeat to Juventus.

The Inter Milan president has now dismissed two managers this term, after Gian Piero Gasperini was dismissed in September after a poor start to the season.

It at first looked like Ranieri had turned the San Siro sides fortunes around, dragging the club up the table and away from the relegation spots, but with Internazionale languishing ten points off third place Lazio, the final Champions League spot, the club have acted.

Conflicting Statements

Following the weekend defeat, Moratti stated early on Monday:  "I think that Claudio Ranieri will remain until the end of the season."

With a statement following later in the day, after the sacking, on the club's website that read:  "President Massimo Moratti and everyone at Inter Milan would like to thank Claudio Ranieri and his staff for their professionalism, dedication and honesty during their time in charge of the team."

Inter, and crucially Moratti, are desperately trying to get the club back to the glory years of it's not too distant past under first Roberto Mancini and then Jose Mourinho.

Ex Inter manager Ranieri

Stability and patience though are clearly not options to be considered.

However, if you think two managers in a season is a bad record you will have to look back to the 1998/99 season, when they last failed to make Europe and four men sat at the helm during the season.

Luigi Simoni, Mircea Lucescu, Luciano Castellini and finally Roy Hodgson all came and went in a humbling period for the club.

Future

Andre Villas Boas is reportedly the early front runner for the post, but until a successor is appointed youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni will take over:  "Inter also announce that they have entrusted the team to Andrea Stramaccioni, the coach who won the first edition of the Next Generation Series," continues the statement issued by the club.

Whoever does come in on a full time basis will have to contend with Seria As highest wage bill, at a staggering €200m a year, and you would think a major overhaul of the squad is also a high priority.

Firepower has been lacking somewhat since the sale of Samuel Eto'o last summer to Anzhi Makhachkala, while top earner Wesley Sneijder has not hit his usual spectacular highs.

A shrewd appointment is needed; if it doesn't arrive the fans may not blame the manager and could look further up the pecking order.

Future stars - Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann in a buoyant mood

Despite being a part of the Real Sociedad squad for some time now, Antoine Griezmann has really pushed on in the last year or so.  Making bigger clubs sit up and take note, with Arsenal one of the clubs most recently linked with a late January move for the youngster.

It has not been an easy road for the 20-year-old, being rejected by several clubs after trials due to size.  How many times have we heard that?  However, after one such trial Griezmann drew admiring glances from several clubs.  It was Real Sociedad who won the race though, where he has gone from strength to strength.

After progressing through the youth ranks, it was prior to the 2009/10 season when he was given a chance to impress in pre-season.  It was't long before a senior debut came his way, appearing as a second half substitute in a Copa Del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano.

He has not looked back from here, being a regular member of the squad and could perhaps be another gem unearthed by the San Sebastian based side.  It would be no suprise to see Premier League sides make a move for Griezmann in the future, with truly exciting wingers not commonplace on these shores.  It is afterall his pace and skill that have put him on the map.

In 2010 a first appearance for France under-19s came about, in addition to a new contract at club level that reportedly has a buy out clause of around €30 million.  After flicking between the under-19, 20 and 21 sides, Griezmann has now established himself as a regular member of the latter.

Currently nearing a century of appearance at club level, it wouldn't be a suprise if we seen the talented youngster make a move sooner rather than later.

Transfer Flops - Afonso Alves

Middlesbrough FC aren't exempt from the odd calamitous transfer, but Afonso Alves must be soaring high above the rest.  The clubs current record transfer spectacularly failed to live up to expectations, before being shipped of to Qatar just a year after joining.

The Brazilian started his carrer at Atletico Mineiro, before making a move to Europe after a handful of appearances and goals.

It wasn't however one of the big leagues that drew his attention, with Alves moving to Sweden and Orgryte.  However he only here a year before making another step up after a successful showing.  After a goal ratio that bettered one in every other game, Malmo FF signed the striker and he spearheaded the club to a League title in his debut season.

Alves lasted one more season before getting on the move once again, this time to Holland where he became Heerenveen's record signing at £3.5m.  It was here that he enjoed most success, plundering over 30 goals in his debut season after netting seven in only his second appearance for the club.

Following two seasons at the Dutch club, and not exempt from controversy, Alves made what he hoped would be a big step towards the big time.  The Premier League beckoned, with Middlesbrough paying over £12m to secure his services.  However his time on teeside soon turned sour, when it became clear he was well on the road to becoming a very expensive mistake.

Alves during his difficult time at Middlesbrough

His solitary season in the Premiership will no doubt be remembered for some time, with his lack of firepower resulting in the club being relegated to the Championship.  Middlesbrough cut their losses, and perhaps did well to recoup over half the fee paid.

Al Saad is where Alves headed this time, lasting only a few months before accepting a loan offer from anthother Qatari club, this time Al Rayyan.

Goals began to flow once more, before a ligament injury late in 2010 sidelined him for some considerable time.  He is however back playing and back amongst the goals.

On the international front Alves received a first international call up in 2007 whilst still plying his trade in Holland, almost scoring against England before his ill fated spell on those shores.  A Copa America win followed but it wasn't long before those appearances in a Brazil shirt soon dried up.