Roberto Mancini has been walking around with a look of the condemned man for a number of weeks.
Now his fate has finally been sealed when he threw himself to the hounds during the press conference ahead of Wednesday eveningâÂÂs Italian Cup semi-final at Lazio.
The media room at InterâÂÂs Appiano Gentile training complex was overflowing with expectant hacks gently perspiring on the hottest day of the year so far.
Unleash the hounds! Mancio doomed after criticisingMoratti
They all knew that il Mancio would not let Massimo MorattiâÂÂs barbed attack on his tactics and, worse of all, the assertion that the team lacked heart and courage in the derby go.
In a Del boy-like moment after SundayâÂÂs defeat to AC Milan, the Nerazzurri owner summed up the teamâÂÂs performance something along the lines of, âÂÂhe who dares, wins.âÂÂ
As gruff as a ticket inspector on the Milan metro, the coachâÂÂs retort left no room for argument.
âÂÂIf that is how Moratti sees it then he is free to do so but I do not agree,â he said. âÂÂThere is no such thing as not brave enough and we have never played for a draw, not in a derby nor any other game.âÂÂ
It was worthy of a Greek tragedy felt the editorial in Corriere dello Sport.
âÂÂThe father-son relationship has broken down and the final betrayal is at hand,â taking the drama of Jose MourinhoâÂÂs arrival to new heights.
Yes, the Special One is lurking in the shadows and whenever the Portuguese schemerâÂÂs name is mentioned an icy atmosphere descends around the Inter camp, elevated only by Luis FigoâÂÂs jig of delight on the sidelines.
The winger is no longer on speaking terms with Mancini so he has been more than happy to stoke the fires.
Luis Figo: Inter's smiling assassin
As he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: âÂÂI was thinking of retiring at the end of the season but when I broke my leg back in November I decided I wanted to play on."
âÂÂI donâÂÂt know where that will be but I would love to be coached by Mourinho before I call it a day.âÂÂ
Ah, that cold blade between ManciniâÂÂs shoulders and if Inter finally put the league beyond doubt on Sunday he should be careful who he embraces in the corridors of the San Siro afterwards.
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