Manchester City Sack Manager Roberto Mancini

Posted by

Etihad Stadium boss axed.

Check in to Reading vs Manchester City

Man City have sacked Italian manager Roberto Mancini exactly a year to the day since he guided the Etihad Stadium side to their first title in over 35 years.

City’s shock FA Cup Final defeat by Wigan at Wembley on Saturday strengthened rumours Mancini was about to be sacked and the club’s Abu Dhabi-based owners confirmed today the end of the Italian manager’s three-and-a-half years at Eastlands.

The 48-year-old’s time at City saw the club win a first major trophy in 35 years with the 2011 FA Cup, while last season’s Premier League title was their first top-flight crown since 1968.

“Roberto’s record speaks for itself, he has clearly secured the love and respect of our fans,” said City chairman Khladoon Al Mubarak.

“He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success.”

But with City a distant second to already crowned Premier League champions and local rivals Manchester United, a club statement added: “This is the outcome of a planned end of season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation.”

City are 13 points adrift of United and crashed out of this term’s Champions League at the group stage.

Reports in Spain and England have suggested Manuel Pellegrini, Malaga’s Chilean coach, is in line to succeed Mancini.