Inter Milan have parted company with manager Rafael Benitez just over six months after appointing the Spaniard.
The move follows Benitez asking for backing from the board to buy players following the Serie A side’s Club World Cup win over TP Mazembe last Saturday.
A statement on Inter’s website said “a mutually satisfactory agreement for the early termination of his [Benitez's] contract” had been agreed.
Benitez took over from Jose Mourinho at the San Siro in June.
Mourinho, who left for Real Madrid, led Inter to the Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League glory last season and left his successor with a hard act to follow.

Benitez’s availability will alert clubs around Europe despite damage done to his reputation in the last 18 months, encompassing his decline at Liverpool and a swift demise at Inter.

Benitez was named Inter manager a week after leaving Liverpool on 3 June and, although he had injuries to key players to contend with, the 50-year-old’s exploits have not helped his cause.

Inter are 13 points behind Serie A leaders and arch-rivals AC Milan and struggling for form.