RAFAEL Benitez has been sacked by Champions League holders Inter Milan just six months after taking charge.

The writing was on the wall for the former Liverpool boss after he issued a thinly-veiled ultimatum at Inter president Massimo Moratti to back him in the transfer market in the wake of Inter’s World Club Cup success last weekend.

As had been expected, Inter confirmed they had parted company with Benitez this morning.

The five-time reigning Serie A champions sit seventh in the 2010-11 table while they only qualified second in their Champions League group behind competition debutants Tottenham.

Inter’s season has been undermined by injury, but with a 13-point gap to make up to leaders and city rivals AC Milan, Benitez has come under intense fire.

Ironically, former AC Milan boss Leonardo has been heavily linked with the post.