Inter Milan Coach Roberto Mancini Axed Following Champions League Disappointment

May 30, 2008 8:36 p.m. EST

Rome, Italy (AHN) - Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his post following the club's dismal performance at the Champions League, despite leading the club to three consecutive Italian league titles since 2006.

The 43-year-old Mancini, who steered Inter into capturing three crowns from 2006 up to 2008, was unable to lift the club to the Champions League, the only trophy that has eluded the three-time champion of the Italian League in more than 40 years.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is expected to take over Mancini's post.

Under Mancini's watch, Inter was transformed from a perennial losing club to a contender and eventual champion. In 2004, Inter Milan captured the Italian Cup and successfully defended it the year after. Mancini later led the club to three consecutive Serie A titles and into the final 16 of the European Cup in the last two seasons, but was unsuccessful in snaring the Champions League crown. Inter last held the European title in 1965.

Mourinho, the former Porto coach who led the Portuguese team to the 2004 Champions League title, is expected to be named as coach in the coming days. Mourinho is said to bring in with him former players - midfielder Frank Lampard, striker Didier Drogba of the Ivory Coast or Ricardo Carvalho of Portugal, all Chelsea players.