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.

Group E

Cameroon - World Ranking 19

Won their qualifying group, and will feel less pressure in this years tournament given that it is in Africa. With key injuries to the other African nations Cameroon could well have the best chance to be the best performing African nation in this years tournament.

Captain Samuel Eto'o will be the linchpin of the side, and much will hang on his shoulders if his side are to perform well and more importantly escape the group.

Strengths

Paul Le Guen has recovered from the Rangers shambles, and formed a side that has a great unity and belief about it. There are players throughout who have played or are playing at top European side so there credentials cannot be questioned. Eto'o has been on sparkling form for Inter Milan this term under Jose Mourinho, and if he can take this into the World Cup Cameroon stand a chance of at least making the knock-out phase.

Weaknesses

If the midfield men fail to shine, then Cameroon could come falter. Alex Song will have to be the creative force that feeds Eto'o, and if this doesn't happen goals could be hard to come by.

Also there defence could also fail, with an ageing Rigobert song and a player not good enough for the Championship, Geremi, main stays of that back line. This could be an area that will be there downfall, as opposition teams will have highlighted it as a major weakness.

Key Man - Samuel Eto'o

Cameroon's all time top scorer will have to live up to the hype and be firing on all cylinders should Cameroon enjoy any success. At times for both Barcelona and Inter Milan he has looked unstoppable, and it is that fear that opposition defences feel that he will/does thrive upon and exploit.

One to Watch - Jean Makoun

Lyon's combative holding midfielder is an integral part of this Cameroon side, he sits back stands his ground and cuts out attacks before feeding the attacking players. He will have to perform these duties to the best of his ability, as well his defence partner Stephane Mbia, if this side are to challenge.

Manager - Paul Le Guen

After winning three League titles at Lyon Paul Le Guen had an unsuccessful spell at Rangers, before being appointed a surprise short term appointment at Cameroon. However he has proved a success, and now has the chance to test himself on the world stage.

Odds - 100/1

Prediction - Will have their work cut out to get out of the group at Denmark's expense.

Denmark - World Ranking 35

After not qualifying for the last World Cup in Germany, Denmark will hope to equal their run to the second round in 2002. And they will be confident of doing so, they have reached the knock-out stage each time they have made it to the World Cup finals.

The impressive thing about Denmark is the sides they beat on their way to South Africa. Both Portugal and fierce rivals Sweden were swept aside, two thorns in England's side over the last few years.

Strengths

Denmark have a very experienced side throughout, as well as containing a good blend of ages too. On top of this they have the steely determination to pull off the unexpected. Results over both Portugal and Sweden in the qualifiers proved this, after trailing 2-0 to the former they scored three times in the last ten minutes and also left Sweden with a 1-0 victory.

Weaknesses

The simple lack of world class talent could be their undoing in this tournament, however you can never count out the Danes to do the unexpected. A repeat of their 1992 heroics is out of the question, but they could well cause an upset if written off.

Key Man - Christian Poulsen

Being one of only two players to have played in all ten of Denmark's qualifiers shows the importance of Christian Poulsen to this side. The combative Juventus midfielder breaks up play and can also set up attacks for his side too, he no holds barred approach makes him the steel of the Danes midfielder.

One to Watch - Soren Larsen

His form for club and country has been tremendous, and his form of 11 goals in 19 games for Denmark shows his ability. With the lime light bound to be on Jon Dahl Tomasson and Nicklas Bendtner, Larsen could well slip under the radar and surprise a few.

Manager - Morten Olsen

Patience has definitely been the key to Olson's approach, as he is now entering his tenth year at the helm of the Denmark national side. This will be his third major finals, and his experience could be key to his side escaping the group.

Odds - 125/1

Prediction - Despite having the Dutch first up, they should recover and will challenge Cameroon for second spot.

Japan - World Ranking 45

After being the first nation to qualify for South Africa, Japan's bold, brash and unpopular manager Takeshi Okada stated that his side will reach the semi-finals. However that seems way short of the mark and very unlikely.

Their best showing was in 2002 when they co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea, but other than that they have failed to win a World Cup match on non-Asian soil.

Strengths

Like all Asian teams, Japan's strength lies in their work ethic, passion and national pride. They will hassle and fight for every ball, not giving anyone an inch of space to stop or think. It is this that could see them finally win a World Cup match outside of Asia. #

Weaknesses

Goals are not a frequent event within the Japan side, but they managed to get three against England (although two were in the wrong net). In ten of their 14 qualifying games they managed just one goal, with the struggle for goals highlighted by the fact Okada has used 21 forwards during his time as coach.

Key Man - Shunsuke Nakamura

A player that can be deployed on either flank, it is his tremendous left foot that stands him out from the pack. His crossing ability cannot be questioned, while his guile from free kicks is equally as effective as Manchester United know only too well. After making his mark at Celtic where he won three league titles he left for Espanyol, but after an unsuccessful spell in La Liga he left for his homeland and to Yokohama Marinos.

One to Watch - Takayuki Morimoto

A different style of striker than what you'd expect from a Japanesse side, he offers a tall and physical threat to the attack. 'The Japanesse Ronaldo' is both the youngest player and youngest goal scorer in J-League history, and now resides in Italy where he plays for Catania.

Manager - Takeshi Okada

Okada is in his second spell as Japan manager, after taking the team to the World Cup in France in 1998. After leaving he had two management stints in the J-League where he was twice names best manager, before returning as national coach three years ago. The unpopular coach likes to make hopeful predictions, and saying that Japan will reach the semi-final seems like just that.

Odds - 250/1

Prediction - Not enough quality in the side and will fall at the first hurdle.

Holland - World Ranking 4

Similarly to England, Holland are one of the world's great underachievers. Some of the world best are contained within this Dutch squad, Arjen Robben was one of the Champions League's stellar performers similarly to Wesley Sneijder while Arsenal's seasons fell apart following Robin Van Persie's injury.

Their recent World Cup record doesn't make pretty reading, and this time out all who follow this side are trying to keep a lid on expectations. This is in contrast to Germany 2006, when after breezing through the group of death, they disappointingly fell in the second round.

Preparation and warm up games have been going very well so far, but the injury to Arjen Robben could ultimately cost them.

Strengths

A well drilled unit throughout the side, Holland boast some of the finest attacking talent that will be on show in South Africa. Robin Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt are often on target as strikers, while attacking midfielders Robben (should he make it), Sneijder and Rafael Van Der Vaart are equally adept as finding the net.

In addition they posses good strength in depth as well as having a good mix of youth and experience. This has to be one of the main features of a World Cup winning squad, this can only work in their favour.

Weaknesses

As always they could turn out to be their own worst enemy, another thing there bare in resemblance to England. Although they are trying to keep a lid on expectations this time round, a good start could see that go out of the window. And if that happens, a similar situation to 2006 could ensue.

Key Man - Wesley Sneijder

Sneijder has shown Europe in this seasons Champions League what he is capable of, and he could be a main player for his nation if he can take that form to the World Cup. He should certainly be full of confidence, after winning a treble with Inter Milan this season under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho. Possessing both the ability to pass and shoot in equal measure, Sneijder will no doubt be key to Hollands progression.

One to Watch - Eljero Elia

With the injury to Robben, Eljero Elia could see his appearance tally in South Africa rise as a result. Either a winger or striker, it is also this versatility that could see his stock rise. Several Premier League clubs have already been linked and it looks inevitable that he will end up on our shores, so this could be your first chance to see him in competitive action.

Manager - Bert Van Marwijk

In appointing Bert Van Marwijk Holland have the gone against the previous regimes of Marco Van Basten, Ronald Koeman. These were big names that have fallen on the home straight, Marwijk is the opposite of this. He is a manager with big club experience at Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund, although he has never won the Eredivisie.

Odds - 12/1

Prediction - A quarter-final place should be the least that is expected, although they could struggle to get further than that.

Next Time

Tomorrow I will be previewing current World Champions Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia

Let's get ready to rumble

So, at it's new Saturday evening slot, the battle of the Bernabeu will take place.

Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan V Louis Van Gaal's Bayern Munich, with both sides looking to claim an unprecedented treble.

Both have had troubled times in their respective leagues this season, but have crucially come through to take the ultimate prize.

Domestic cup competitions have also fell the way of this years two premier Champions League teams, meaning this evening could be one of the most exciting European finals for many a year.

You would expect a fully attacking match, although, you could be majorly disappointed.

In this years competition Mourinho has been criticised for sitting on leads, and doing just enough to get over the line.

But never going out to score as many goals as possible, however you couldn't bet against the Portuguese to come up trumps once again.

And if he does so he could soon be bidding a, not so fond, farewell to Italy.

It is not a secret that the Italians and Mourinho don't enjoy the best of relationships, and a treble win could be his legacy in Serie A.

Bayern on the other hand have always gone out to score this season, and as a result have been left short at the back on occasion.

This is exactly the type of thing that will not have gone unnoticed by the Milan side, and if this situation crops up tonight it will be fully exploited.

Wesley Sneijder's passing could unlock most defences, and with men short at the back it wouldn't be hard to pick out the pacey Samuel Eto'o.

Although the German's aren't short of attacking talent themselves, however they will be without main man Franck Ribery who is suspended.

That means Arjen Robben will have to step into the breach and be the creative force for his side, which we have already seen him do this season.

His wonder striker at both Fiorentina and Manchester United rescued his team, whereas Mourinho's side have often looked comfortable.

Even at Stamford Bridge and the Nou Camp where one goal would've knocked them out, they didn't look like conceding (although they come close in the latter, when a goal was disallowed for a dubious hand ball).

One thing is for certain though, someone will win a treble tonight and become a legend at their respective club, and I wouldn't bet against Mourinho adding another chapter to an already amazing story.