Inter Milan have parted company with manager Rafael Benitez just over six months after appointing the Spaniard.
The move follows Benitez asking for backing from the board to buy players following the Serie A side's Club World Cup win over TP Mazembe last Saturday.
A statement on Inter's website said "a mutually satisfactory agreement for the early termination of his [Benitez's] contract" had been agreed.
Benitez took over from Jose Mourinho at the San Siro in June.
Mourinho, who left for Real Madrid, led Inter to the Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League glory last season and left his successor with a hard act to follow.
Benitez was named Inter manager a week after leaving Liverpool on 3 June and, although he had injuries to key players to contend with, the 50-year-old's exploits have not helped his cause.
Inter are 13 points behind Serie A leaders and arch-rivals AC Milan and struggling for form.
Although they have two games in hand on the teams above them in the league table, the Nerazzurri are languishing in seventh place having won only six of their 15 league games.
In defence of their Champions League crown, Inter could only finish as group runners-up behind Tottenham to leave them facing a difficult tie against Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Even though Inter won the Club World Cup by beating TP Mazembe, it did not leave Benitez in a strong enough position to survive his outburst after the match.
"There are three possibilities for the club," said Benitez. "One, 100% support for the coach and buy four or five players to build a stronger team with competition among the players to be able to carry on winning matches and trophies.
"Two, carry on like this without a project, without planning, and go ahead with one person to blame, for the whole season.
"The third," he added, "is to speak to my agent to reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple."
Inter president Massimo Moratti was less than impressed by Benitez's comments and said they "were not suitable for the situation" before adding it was "not the moment to ask for reinforcements".
Consequently, the Inter board has removed Benitez with the Serie A season currently on a winter break and Inter's next game scheduled for 6 January at home to Napoli.
"Inter thank Rafael Benitez for his work in leading his team to success in the Italian Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup," added the San Siro club.
Italian news agency Ansa quoted Moratti as saying: " "I'm sorry the relationship with Benitez is over, but the split had become inevitable."
BBC Sport - Football - Inter Milan sack manager Rafael Benitez
what a complete tw*t this rafa 'beneath us' is! he has totally ruined a treble winning side in a matter of 6 months and then asks the president/chairman for £££ for an extra 5-6 players as the ones he has arent good enough lol.. he called wesley sneidjer a poor mans dirk kuyt so u can see he has totally lost the plot.... somebody else would be mad to employ this nut-job!
The move follows Benitez asking for backing from the board to buy players following the Serie A side's Club World Cup win over TP Mazembe last Saturday.
A statement on Inter's website said "a mutually satisfactory agreement for the early termination of his [Benitez's] contract" had been agreed.
Benitez took over from Jose Mourinho at the San Siro in June.
Mourinho, who left for Real Madrid, led Inter to the Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League glory last season and left his successor with a hard act to follow.
Benitez was named Inter manager a week after leaving Liverpool on 3 June and, although he had injuries to key players to contend with, the 50-year-old's exploits have not helped his cause.
Inter are 13 points behind Serie A leaders and arch-rivals AC Milan and struggling for form.
Although they have two games in hand on the teams above them in the league table, the Nerazzurri are languishing in seventh place having won only six of their 15 league games.
In defence of their Champions League crown, Inter could only finish as group runners-up behind Tottenham to leave them facing a difficult tie against Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Even though Inter won the Club World Cup by beating TP Mazembe, it did not leave Benitez in a strong enough position to survive his outburst after the match.
"There are three possibilities for the club," said Benitez. "One, 100% support for the coach and buy four or five players to build a stronger team with competition among the players to be able to carry on winning matches and trophies.
"Two, carry on like this without a project, without planning, and go ahead with one person to blame, for the whole season.
"The third," he added, "is to speak to my agent to reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple."
Inter president Massimo Moratti was less than impressed by Benitez's comments and said they "were not suitable for the situation" before adding it was "not the moment to ask for reinforcements".
Consequently, the Inter board has removed Benitez with the Serie A season currently on a winter break and Inter's next game scheduled for 6 January at home to Napoli.
"Inter thank Rafael Benitez for his work in leading his team to success in the Italian Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup," added the San Siro club.
Italian news agency Ansa quoted Moratti as saying: " "I'm sorry the relationship with Benitez is over, but the split had become inevitable."
BBC Sport - Football - Inter Milan sack manager Rafael Benitez
what a complete tw*t this rafa 'beneath us' is! he has totally ruined a treble winning side in a matter of 6 months and then asks the president/chairman for £££ for an extra 5-6 players as the ones he has arent good enough lol.. he called wesley sneidjer a poor mans dirk kuyt so u can see he has totally lost the plot.... somebody else would be mad to employ this nut-job!
