Football: Inzaghi close to Milan sack after Genoa humiliation

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi looks set to be sacked after his demoralised side were humiliated 3-1 by Genoa at the San Siro on Wednesday just as owner Silvio Berlusconi moved closer to selling the club to Thai magnate Bee Taechaubol.

The 41-year-old former Italy striker is a legend at the ailing giants.

He won three Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues in 11 years as a Milan player and scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Liverpool in 2008 that sealed the club's seventh and most recent European Cup/Champions League triumph.

However he has had a miserable time of it since being promoted from the youth set up to manage the first team last summer, and has won only 10 times all season.

Now, with Berlusconi reportedly close to selling a majority stake in the club for a fee of 500 million euros ($555 million), it looks as though Inzaghi will soon be ending a 16-year relationship with Milan.

"Milan is in my heart and it always will be. Let's see what the club thinks and we'll see tomorrow (Thursday)," said a distraught looking Inzaghi.

"I never give up, in my career I was the same as a player. I can hold my head high because I've given everything. The club will make their decision now."

Whoever owns and manages Milan next season has a job on their hands winning over the supporters.

The San Siro was almost deserted on Wednesday night and those that were there jeered the team off at the final whistle as they lost at home to Genoa for the first time in 57 years.

Before the game the ultras in the Curva Sud section of the stadium arranged themselves into the word "Basta", or "enough".

It was easy to see why fans are frustrated, as the team were played off the park from almost the first whistle by Europe-chasing Genoa.

The only highlight for Milan was Filipe Mexes' stunning long range strike to cut the deficit to one just after the hour.

However the temperamental French defender was sent off just six minutes later, and 10-man Milan conceded a late penalty to complete their humiliation.

"This is football. There are good nights and bad nights. It's part of the game. We were up against a team that was better than us and deserved to win," said Inzaghi.

"There's not much to say. We gave it everything but evidently that isn't enough. I will carry on, and hope to finish the season with dignity."