City sack Mancini

Roberto Mancini has been sacked by Manchester City a year to the day since delivering the club's first English title in 44 years.



City failed to back their manager over the weekend as the build-up to Saturday's FA Cup final was overshadowed by reports linking Malaga's Manuel Pellegrini with the job.

City were beaten by Wigan at Wembley, and that disappointment alongside an unconvincing Premier League title defence and a second successive failure to get beyond the Champions League group stage, means Mancini's time in Manchester is up after three-and-a-half years.

The club's owners also spoke of a desire for a more "holistic approach" in a statement which read: "It is with regret that Manchester City Football Club announces that Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his duties as manager.

"This has been a difficult decision for the owner, Chairman and Board to make and it is the outcome of a planned end of season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation and out of respect for Roberto and his extensive contributions to the football club.

"Despite everyone's best efforts, the club has failed to achieve any of its stated targets this year, with the exception of qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

"This, combined with an identified need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club, has meant that the decision has been taken to find a new manager for the 2013/14 season and beyond."

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: "Roberto's record speaks for itself and he has the respect and gratitude of owner Sheikh Mansour, myself and the board for all of his hard work and commitment over the last three-and-a-half years.

"He has clearly also secured the love and respect of our fans. He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success, breaking the club's 35-year trophy drought and securing the title in 2012.

"I would like to personally and publicly thank him for his dedication to the progress that he has overseen and for his support and continued friendship."

Brian Kidd will be in charge for the final two games of the season and the post-season tour to the United States, but the focus now will be on Pellegrini.



The Chilean, a former Villarreal and Real Madrid boss, is an odds-on favourite for the job but denied on Sunday night that a deal to take over is already in place.