Zero wins in five matches was enough for Inter Milan to fire Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who had taken charge during the summer. A 3-1 loss to promoted Novara Tuesday prompted his dismissal after four defeats and one tie.

"At the end of the day, the results have determined everything," Gasperini said. "I'm very disappointed. We had established a good rapport, it's a shame to have had to interrupt it. There's much regret all around."

Gasperini, 53, is the third coach to leave Inter since the departure of Jose Mourinho following the 2009-10 season in which Inter won the Serie A title, Coppa Italia  and Champions League. Gasperini took over from Leonardo, who had replaced Rafael Benitez. Inter repeated as Coppa Italia winner last season, but its run of five straight Serie A titles ended and it lost to Schalke 04 in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Gasperini's preference for a 3-4-3 system he'd used at Genoa didn't suit the wishes of team president Massimo Moratti, whose patience was soon exhausted by the poor results. Assistant coaches Daniele Bernazzani and Giuseppe Baresi took charge of training on Wednesday. ANSA news agency listed Claudio Ranieri as favorite to replace Gasperinii, followed by Luis Figo, Delio Rossi and Walter Zenga.