Inter Milan legend Fulvio Collovati says Paolo Maldini deserved his sacking at AC Milan yesterday.

Maldini and fellow football director Ricky Massara were sacked by Milan owner Gerry Cardinale in a Monday meeting.

While Milan fans are stunned, Collovati insists the decision is understandable.

He told Rai Sport: "The news may be surprising, but it doesn't surprise me.

"Maldini was the author together with Massara of a bankruptcy market, so he pays for this flop. This new AC Milan club may not want to make the leap and spend, but this can be understood because it is in the hands of a fund that calculates how much money comes out and how this money is spent.

"Tell me which player was signed by Milan last year who performed according to expectations... They probably should have given Maldini another year, but it's not surprising about this divorce in my opinion."