Claudio Ranieri has come out and declared that he is not in danger of being sacked. He has also stated that star midfielder Wesley Sneijder is happy at the club, in an attempt to quell rumours of interest from abroad in the Dutch playmaker (for what seems to be the 100^th time).

“Could he be on his way to Anzhi? As far as I’m concerned, and I hope the player too, no,” Ranieri was quoted as saying on Inter’s official website.

Whether that is true or not is debatable, but the fact that the Tinkerman is being forced to make such statements is telling in itself. Inter are struggling and Ranieri is doing his best to stop the bleeding.

It seems to be a common theme on the blue half of Milan in recent years.

Since Jose Mourinho departed for Real Madrid, Inter have been searching for a replacement, to no avail.

Be it Rafael Benitez, Leonardo, Gian Piero Gasperini or Ranieri, none of these men have been able to sufficiently replace the Special One. The latter of that group continues to remain positive.

“The club and Moratti are behind me 100 per cent,” Ranieri recently told RAI Sport. “We have an excellent communication and I completely feel their support.”

But with only one point from the previous four league matches – a 4-4 draw with Palermo – Inter have reverted to the early season form that led to the demise of Gasperini.

Whether or not this story ends in the same manner remains to be seen, but the most recent result may have pushed Ranieri closer to the brink than he has been all season long.

Inter slumped to another disappointing defeat over the weekend, this time to basement-dwellers Novara. The Nerazzurri were beaten by a wonderful goal from journeyman striker Andrea Caracciolo, who curled a left-footed effort beyond Julio Cesar to secure all three points.

Inter now sit six points adrift of Lazio for the third and final Champions League birth, with Udinese perched between the two clubs. In addition, Roma – whose season seemed to be lost only weeks ago – are now only one point behind Inter. On current form, the Giallorossi seem to be more of a threat to Lazio and Udinese.

But if this season has proven anything, it is that scenarios can change in a heartbeat.

For Ranieri and Inter, that change needs to happen right now.

After a home fixture with Bologna on Friday, Inter will turn their attention to the Champions League and Olympique de Marseille.

A negative result in this contest could put an end to any title aspirations for the Nerazzurri. Given what happened against Schalke last season, the players will be well aware of the importance surrounding an opening leg contest.

Can the Nerazzurri get their season back on track against the French giants? Stay tuned to Serie A Weekly for a complete breakdown of Inter vs. Marseille – coming later this week.