Italy’s Inter Milan today sacked head coach Stefano Pioli after only six months.
The 52-year old former Lazio coach was let go following a 5-4 loss to Fiorentina just two weeks after receiving the dreaded vote of confidence.
Inter lie in seventh place in Serie A, almost 30 points behind cruising leaders Juventus (massively impressive destroyers of Monaco after today’s Champions League semi-final second leg) with three games still to play.
That’s what makes the sacking so bizarre: why not wait three games? What difference can it make?
I can only think of one: as their public, season-long target, Antonio Conte. is poised to sew-up the Premiership, Inter want to be free and clear to throw everything they have at the man most now regard as the world’s best manager.
I’ve already made my position clear in the event of our business management/ownership being careless enough to lose the best thing to happen to this club since 2004 and 2012.
In response to Inter’s move, I hope that Mr Abramovich himself is ensuring there’s not one single annoyance/irritation of any kind at Stamford Bridge that could make The Don give so much as a thought to the ministrations of I Nerazzurri (or any other club from any other land, for that matter).
No less than the future of our great club hangs in the balance.