Inter Milan Sack Coach Gasperini: The Familiar Tale of Former Serie A Champions

Italian football has long been the hottest destination for the more ludicrous stories arising from the beautiful game.

Internazionale, or Inter Milan as their anglicized fans would call them, are the latest of many Italian clubs to have experienced the dramatic fall from grace expected from former Serie A champions.

Juventus did it, AC Milan too. Now it's 2010 Champions League winners Inter Milan who are trying to salvage any pride they have left. 

Gian Piero Gasperini took over the haunted role in the summer, after the Brazilian AC Milan legend Leonardo left his managerial post at the blue side of Milan. 

Gasperini enjoyed success at Italian club Genoa, where he led them to promotion to Serie A from Italy's second tier of football, Serie B, in 2007.

In 2009, Gasperini led Genoa to their highest position in Italian football for 19 years. Their fifth place finish also meant that the Italian club could play in the Europa League for the first time.

However, Gasperini's unique 3-4-3 formation deployed at Genoa was soon found out by his opponents. Following a series of bad results and poor performances, he was sacked by the club in November, 2010.

After taking the job at Inter, Gasperini saw his side lose to Palermo, promoted side Novara and draw 0-0 at home to league rivals Roma.

It was after his side's humiliating 3-1 defeat to minnows Novara that saw his short tenure at the club severed.

Following Inter's loss to Novara, Gasperini remained defiant that he will succeed at the club, saying: "This is a very big blow. But I believe strongly in my job. This is a very difficult test, which I've got to resolve."

Internazionale president Massimo Moratti, however, thought differently, bluntly telling the assembled media after the game: "Will Gasperini stay? I don't think so."

Gasperini's sacking means that he is the third coach to be dismissed since Jose Mourinho left the Italian club for Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2010.

Yet another obstacle Inter Milan must overcome in their bid to become Serie A champions once again.