Roberto Mancini appointed Inter Milan head coach after Italian club sacked Walter Mazzari

Mancini won three Serie A titles with Inter between 2004 and 2008

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Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has returned to Inter Milan.

The Italian, 49, managed the club between 2004 and 2008, winning three Serie A titles in a row after finishing third in his first season in charge. He also won the Coppa Italia twice before making the move to the Etihad.

Inter sacked Walter Mazzarri earlier on Friday with the club down in ninth place after picking up just 16 points from their first 11 matches. Mazzarri won just 25 of his 56 matches in charge, 45 per cent, since taking over last May.

Speaking on Twitter, Mancini, who will hold a press conference tomorrow, said that Inter is "a stimulating new challenge. I’m happy to embrace the Nerazzurri fans again. See you tomorrow".

In a statement on the club's website, club president Erick Thohir said: "Today I made the difficult decision to suspend Walter Mazzarri as Head Coach. It was a decision that I reached in conjunction with my Management Team.

"It was a difficult decision because he has been continuously supportive of the direction that we have wanted to take the club, and he has worked tirelessly & selflessly for Inter, with both belief and passion.

"I would like to thank him sincerely for his efforts. However, our goal is to regain our rightful position as one of the very top Clubs in Europe and that's why I am so happy to welcome back Roberto Mancini.

"His track record both at Inter and elsewhere speaks for itself, and his International experience and hunger for success will I know drive the team to the next level."

Mancini left Turkish club Galatasaray over the summer after a dispute with the club's hierarchy over transfer budget.