De Boer believed to have accepted a three-year deal at Inter / Image via mirror.co.uk
In an unsurprising turn of events, Italian giants Internazionale have on Monday announced Roberto Mancini has left the club by mutual consent only two weeks prior to the beginning of the new season.
The club’s new owners have grown disillusioned with former Manchester City boss over the course of last season and Inter’s 6-1 friendly defeat to Tottenham on Friday was the last straw as Suning Holding Group decided to sack Roberto Mancini.
Farewell Mancini
The Italian tactician has spent 20 months in charge of Inter Milan, but Roberto Mancini failed to make his mark in his return to the club he first managed from 2004 to 2008.
Nerazzurri had a bright start to the last season as Inter led the Serie A until the winter break, but Roberto Mancini’s defensive tactics were criticised throughout the season he finished in fourth place at the end. In addition to poor performances in the second part of the season, the last couple of months of Mancini’s charge at Inter were marked with several disagreements with first-team members such as Adem Ljajic and Stevan Jovetic which all influenced the team balance.
Qualifying directly for the group stage of UEFA Europa League is not considered a successful end to the last season and Chinese owners decided to cut ties with Mancini before the new season kicks off.
The club are now expected to appoint Frank de Boer, a Dutch manager who was Erick Thohir’s preferred choice even before Mancini’s arrival.
Having left Ajax at the conclusion of last season, Frank de Boer is now a free agent and Italian media report that Inter’s new owners does not wish to waste any more time and that De Boer’s appointment should be imminent.
Will de Boer be a good choice for Inter?
Former Ajax and Barcelona defender who won 112 caps for the Netherlands has good credentials speaking in his behalf. De Boer guided Dutch powerhouse Ajax to four consecutive Eredivisie title in six seasons as manager since he replaced Martin Jol in 2010.
He became the first manager ever to notch four straight Eredivisie titles for a club he himself won 5 Eredivisie titles and a Champions League medal with as a player, along with a UEFA Cup and a European Super Cup title.
Frank de Boer left his beloved club having lost the Eredivisie tittle in unfortunate circumstances on the final day of the 2015/16 season as his side Ajax drew 1-1 with second-bottom side De Graafschap which allowed PSV to win the title by two points.
The 46-year-old who rejected Liverpool at the time Reds ultimately went for Brendan Rodgers instead was linked with Premier League clubs Everton and Southampton this summer, but now the Dutch legend is said to have already agreed the terms with Inter owners.
De Boer is expected to sign a three-year contract to succeed Roberto Mancini in what will be his first ever international experience as a manager.
What can fans expect from former Ajax boss?
Inter fans are eagerly expecting the arrival of the new boss who is not likely to ring many changes in his team’s set-up. Strongly focused on defensive work rate, much like his predecessor Mancini, De Boer is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation and its frequently implemented 4-2-3-1 version.
Unlike the apathetic figure of Roberto Mancini, Inter Milan will get a passionate figure in the dressing room however and a much needed character boost that is likely to shake things up with the Nerazzurri.
Former Ajax boss could be announced as Inter manager before Borussia Monchengladbach friendly on Wednesday and would need to act quickly as to get familiar with his new surroundings before the Serie A opener against Chievo on 21 August.
Internazionale are hoping to put an end to an unsuccessful spell and finally get back to winning ways in order to bring the old glory back and replicate the success from 2010 when Inter won the treble.
Nerazzurri are however looking at the odds of 14/1 to be crowned Serie A champions next year, which would be considered a major feat knowing that reigning champions Juventus have set their sight on another domestic title.
Can de Boer be a success at Inter and could he pull a surprise on the Old Lady and other title candidates?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
