Inter hire Ranieri

Former Chelsea and Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has signed a two-year contract to be the new coach of Inter Milan, Italian press reported on Wednesday. Ranieri's representative Giuseppe Bozzo met with Inter vice-president Rinaldo Ghelfi on Wednesday night, after Gian Piero Gasperini had been fired earlier in the day. The coach fondly known as the 'Tinkerman' during his days in west London will take his first training session on Thursday, according to Italian press reports. For Ranieri it will be his first job since quitting Roma in February following a run of four straight defeats. Earlier in the day Gasperini was relieved of his duties after four defeats and a draw in his five matches in charge, including Tuesday night's humbling 3-1 loss at newly-promoted Novara. Gasperini's Inter also suffered defeats to Palermo, in the league, Trabzonspor, in the Champions League, and to arch rivals AC Milan in the Italian Supercup. The only game of Gasperini's tenure that didn't end in defeat was a dour 0-0 draw at home to Roma last weekend. Ranieri has been something of a nearly man during his career despite coaching Valencia as well as Juve, Chelsea and Roma. His only trophies were an Italian Cup in 1996 with Fiorentina and a Spanish Cup with Valencia three years later. In his first season with Roma he almost took them to the title before they were pipped by Jose Mourinho's Inter. Last season his team struggled and Ranieri walked before he could be pushed with his team facing elimination from the Champions League and dropping out of European contention in the league.