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AC Milan have sacked manager Marco Giampaolo after the Serie A side's poor start to the season.

Milan have lost four of their opening seven league fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat by fierce rivals Inter, and sit 13th in the table.

In a statement, the club said: 'AC Milan announces that it has relieved Marco Giampaolo of his role as coach of the First Team. The Club intends to thank Marco for the activity carried out so far and wishes him the best professional successes.'

According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan will replace Giampaolo with former Fiorentina and Inter coach Stefano Pioli. The decision was reportedly made by Milan's chief football officer Zvonimir Boban and technical director Paolo Maldini, after conversations with former club president Silvio Berlusconi.

Despite not having sole responsibility for the appointment of a new manager, Ivan Gazidis has come in for heavy criticism from sections of Milan supporters.

Gazidis left his position last October as Arsenal chief executive to take up a similar role at Milan.

Speaking at the time, he said: "Although it is very hard to do - the hardest decision of my life - I believe that, after 10 years, it is the right time for me to step aside to allow new leadership, energy and ideas to take the club forward into this exciting new era. I believe in the positive force of change, both for me and for the club. While this is the most difficult and challenging course for me, I am excited to see what the future holds for this great club and I am energised by a new personal challenge with AC Milan.

"After so many years at Major League Soccer and Arsenal, I am now looking forward to joining one of the world’s other great clubs, AC Milan, and working to restore it to its rightful place in football. Until then, I will continue to devote absolutely all my energy until my last day to ensure an orderly transition for the benefit of Arsenal Football Club."

But Gazidis' tenure at Milan has not gone smoothly, with the side missing out on Champions League qualification at the end of last season.

And with a managerial change set to happen, Milan fans have taken to social media to blast Gazidis, Boban and Maldini for the uninspiring replacement lined up - and pointed to his unpopularity with Arsenal supporters as a reason for concern moving forwards.

Many Gunners fans have criticised Gazidis in the past for the lack of investment in the playing squad and allowing key players like Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey to run down their contracts.

And it seems Milan supporters are not so keen on the former Arsenal chief either.