European Champions League holders Inter Milan have parted ways with coach Rafel Benitez after just six months, the club said Thursday, DPA reported.
Benitez took over at Inter after Jose Mourinho joined Real Madrid, but the club has been struggling this season to reproduce the form that saw them complete a historic treble last season.
In a statement issued Thursday the club said that the two parties had agreed to an early cancellation of the contract, although it is widely believed that Benitez had no option.
"Inter would like to thank Rafael Benitez for his work in charge of the team, which he guided to success in the Italian League Super Cup and in the FIFA Club World Cup.
"Rafael Benitez would like to thank Inter for the important professional experience and for the victories achieved together," the statement said.
The Spaniard still had a contract until the end of next season and it is said that he will be paid three million euros (3.9 million dollars) compensation.
Inter is currently lying seventh in the Serie A - 13 points behind rivals AC Milan, but with two games in hand although Benitez guided the club to victory at the world club cup last weekend.
Benitez blamed the many defeats suffered in the league and the Champions League on tired players and missing replacements.
Former AC Milan coach Leonardo is being tipped as a possible replacement to take over.