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.

Transfer flops: Juan Sebastian Veron

In the first of our 'transfer flops' section, we have started big with Manchester United's near £30m, then record signing, of the Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

It may seem a tad over the top, for someone who was selected by Pele in his list of 125 greatest living footballer back in 2004.

But for anyone who can remember his torrid time in England will have no doubts about his inclusion in this one.

During his time at Lazio, Veron was part of a midfielder full of flair and where he was covered by defensive midfielders to allow him to stick to going forward.

However he had a big shock when Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out to take him to Old Trafford.

The Premier League didn't allow the same time on the ball of Serie A, plus Veron himself was also expected to put in a tackle or two himself.

Injuries and poor performances took their toll, with just seven goals in 51 games over two seasons.

And despite Fergie's insistence that he was a great player it was clear his time the North West of England would soon be at an end.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Veron saga, was the fact Chelsea paid £15m to take him to Stamford Bridge to start the Roman Abramovich spending spree.

Claudio Ranieri is understood to have been key in securing a player who wanted to stay and prove a point with the Red Devils.

Despite getting off to a terrific start at Chelsea, scoring on his debut at Anfield, his time in London was less fruitful than in Manchester.

After just one season where he only managed that one goal in 14 appearances, he was promptly loaned out to Inter Milan and then Estudiantes.

Upon returning to Argentina Veron has shown the form which made the world sit up and take note before his time in England.

He has since been voted best player in the league and in South America, and also holds the captaincy.

Despite this though, on these shores and in many areas worldwide Veron will always be remembered as one of the most expensive transfer flops.