MILAN (AFP) - Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is set to return to the San Siro following the sacking of Walter Mazzarri from the club on Thursday, reports in Italy claim.

Sky 24 announced Mazzarri was sacked on Thursday morning and that Mancini, who led Inter to a club record of three consecutive league titles during a four-year spell in 2004-2008, would soon sign for the club.

Former Manchester City manager Mancini has been out of work since leaving Galatasaray last season.

Mazzarri, who led Napoli to the Serie A runners-up spot in 2013, joined Inter in time for the start of last season but has consistently seen his side underperform.

Inter, Italy's last Champions League winners in 2010, failed to qualify for the competition this season and currently sit ninth in the league, 12 points behind leaders Juventus.

Recent reports claimed that Inter president Erick Thohir, the Indonesian businessman who bought a 70 per cent stake in the club a year ago, had given Mazzarri until the end of the Milan derby next week before deciding the 53-year-old Mazzarri's future.

The website of Gazzetta dello Sport, however, said Mancini was on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half year contract.