This time last year, Roberto Mancini's 4th place finish was seen as something of a disappointment for the failure to achieve Champions League qualification and the functional football he played. The club made the very strange decision to part company with him in the middle of pre-season but oh how the Nerazzurri faithful would welcome him back with open arms now. Frank de Boer was the poor unwitting soul who was given the reigns with no Serie A experience and no time to work with his new players. The effects of that were instant as they lost at Chievo on the opening weekend. That was followed by a draw with Palermo and then the ultimate embarrassment - a home defeat in the Europa League by Israeli minnows Hapoel Be'er Sheva. There was some hope when Inter became the first team to beat champions Juventus in De Boer's fifth game in charge but it proved to be a false down as further defeats saw the Dutchman eventually relieved of his duties. Stefano Pioli replaced him and he was given a baptism of fire in his first game which was the Milan derby but Inter showed fight to come from behind twice and snatch a 2-2 draw at the death. However, that was followed by another humiliating defeat to Be'er Sheva and an exit from the Europa League. Without that distraction though, Pioli was able to stabilise Inter's league form and a 7-1 win over direct rivals Atalanta in March made them favourites to qualify for Europe. However, quite inexplicably, that result became the turning point for all the wrong reasons. They picked up just two points from their next eight games to completely throw away their chances of a top six finish, with Pioli getting the sack as a result. Stefano Vecchi stepped in twice throughout the season as a caretaker but he is doubtful to get the job long term with much bigger names in the frame. Whoever comes in has a great squad to work with but only a couple of players really played to their potential. Mauro Icardi increased his goal tally to an excellent 24 in the league whilst Ivan Perisic produced some excellent overall performances from the wing.
