Walter Mazzarri denies pushing Antonio Cassano out

Inter Milan manager Walter Mazzarri has disputed claims made by Antonio Cassano that he was to blame for the striker being sold to Parma.

The Italian international claims that Mazzarri told him that he was not a guaranteed starter, but the 51-year-old said that he has not spoken to any of his squad yet.

"What I said to the club is exactly what I said when I held my press conference in Appiano Gentile," read a statement on the club's official website.

"I haven't spoken to or about the players since then because I was waiting for the start of the season. I don't see how I can have decided who my first-choice players and squad players are before I've even had the chance to coach them.

"I'd like to put on record that the last time I spoke to Cassano was at the Inter vs. Napoli match in the first half of last season. On that occasion I just said hello to him on the pitch."

Mazzarri was announced as Andrea Stramaccioni's successor in May.