It was a very similar second season for Inter Milan under Luciano Spalletti - once again they left it until the final day to qualify for the Champions League in dramatic fashion. Ultimately Spalletti achieved his minimum objective but it wasn't enough to see him stick around at San Siro.
The big story for the Nerazzurri this season revolved around their captain and chief goalscorer Mauro Icardi. The continued involvement and interference of his wife/agent Wanda Nara led to Icardi being stripped of the captaincy in February and left out of side by Spalletti.
Samir Handanovic was given the armband and he performed admirably with it - keeping the most clean sheets in Serie A and continuing to prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers around.
The biggest disappointment for Inter came in some of their signings. Radja Nainggolan and Keita Balde Diao were expected to give the team something extra but they both had lacklustre campaigns. Ironically though, it was their goals which helped Inter beat Empoli on the final day and cement their place in the top four so all could be forgiven.
Inter's Champions League campaign started promisingly with victories over eventual finalists Tottenham and PSV but a draw with the Dutch side on the final matchday saw them eliminated from the competition. They then went out of the Europa League to previously unfancied Eintracht Frankfurt.
Inter are a club with ambition and Spalletti hasn't improved enough on last season for the board to keep faith with him.
Despite his shortcomings, Spalletti deserves some credit for leaving the Nerazzurri in the Champions League - especially with all the off-field issues surrounding Icardi. He has laid a good foundation to attract players and build further.
There is already a buzz of excitement around Inter for next season. Diego Godin has been one of the best centre-backs in the world over the past few years and he has already signed to bolster a defence that was the second best in Serie A this season - the Uruguayan will strengthen a backline that already boasts the excellent Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij. Serial winner Antonio Conte is heavily rumoured to take over from Spalletti and he could just be the man to return Inter to their previous glories.
