AC Milan owner and probable next Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday gave Italians a clear example of his hands-on style when abruptly sacking club coach Alberto Zaccheroni hours after Milan had been eliminated from the Champions League.

Berlusconi is busy orchestrating the centre-right's general election campaign but on Tuesday night, he took time off from the campaign trail to return to his happiest of hunting grounds, Milan's San Siro stadium. Alas, Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruna spoiled the night for him by holding Milan to a 1-1 draw which left Italy without a representative in European club competition.

After the match, Berlusconi expressed his frustration, pointing out he had long held reservations about Zaccheroni's tactical approach and promising he would soon "take charge" himself of the club.

No sooner said than done. By yesterday morning, Zaccheroni was clearing out his locker. The man who in his first season with AC Milan won the Italian title in 1999 will be replaced by a tandem comprising Italy's 1998 World Cup coach, Cesare Maldini, and former Milan right back, Mauro Tassotti.

Whilst Berlusconi may feel that his club's problems are linked to a lack of closer supervision on his part, it is also possible that Milan's recent wretched run - they have won just twice in their last 19 outings and are currently eighth in Serie A - is linked to the uncertainty that has surrounded Zaccheroni for much of this season.

Although Berlusconi is a remarkable motivator, one wonders what he could have done with a Milan injury list that includes Argentine Fernando Redondo and Italian internationals Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Costacurta, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini. The objective for the new Maldini-Tassotti tandem is to ensure Champions League qualification by finishing in the top four in Serie A.

As Italian soccer licks its wounds, following a second consecutive whitewash in European competition, Berlusconi has reason to feel doubly disappointed. On May 23rd, just a week after he expects to win the General Election, the Champions League final will be played at the San Siro. Now, that's one hell of an inauguration party gone missing.