Sacking Mancini was 'for the benefit of the club', insists Inter Milan president

Mancini's contract was terminated on Thursday night despite the former Italy striker having recently led the club to a third successive Serie A title under his command.

Sacked: Roberto Mancini

Although the 2007/08 campaign ended with another Scudetto it was not without its hiccups as Mancini resigned in the immediate aftermath of the Champions League exit to Liverpool before being swiftly talked into a rethink.  

And Moratti admitted today that Mancini's apparent willingness to walk out midway through the season had left its mark.  

He told the Corriere della Sera newspaper: "This created imbalances within the team that forced everyone, managers and players included, to double and triple their energies.  

"It's true that we all rowed in the same direction, but we were forced to row harder."

Despite the problems which emerged over the final few months of their relationship, Moratti insisted it was not an easy decision to dispense with a coach under whom Inter flourished.  

He added: "It was not a whim.  

"The most simple solution would have been to have continued with the coach with whom we won three consecutive championships. 

"Nobody would have criticised me, everything would have been smooth.  

"I intervened because I thought it was necessary, not against the coach, but in the interests of Inter."

Moratti is expected to name Jose Mourinho as Mancini's replacement.  

The former Porto and Chelsea boss is likely to take over officially at the start of next week.