LONDON, Nov 14 — Inter Milan have fired coach Walter Mazzarri after a poor start to the season, the Serie A club said today.

Mazzarri, who took over from Andrea Stramaccioni in May 2013, had come under pressure after a string of poor results left Inter ninth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Juventus.

"FC Internazionale would like to announce that Walter Mazzarri has been relieved of his duties as first team coach," the club said in a statement on their website.

"The club would like to thank Mazzarri for the commitment, dedication and professionalism he showed over his 17 months in charge.

"Today's (Friday) training session will be taken by Giuseppe Baresi."

Former Inter manager Roberto Mancini, who left Turkish side Galatasaray at the end of last season, has been strongly linked in media reports with a return to the San Siro.

The 49-year-old Italian had a successful spell in charge of Inter from 2004 to 2008, winning three league titles and two Italian cups, before moving to England's Manchester City.

Mancini's first match in charge could be the Milan derby on Nov. 23. — Reuters