Manchester City’s owners have sacked manager Roberto Mancini.
Mancini guided City to this season’s FA Cup final, but defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday was his final act at the Etihad Stadium
And in a statement released on Monday evening, the club announced their decision to part company with the manager.
“Roberto’s record speaks for itself and he has the respect and gratitude of Sheikh Mansour, myself and the Board for all of his hard work and commitment over the last three and a half years,” said chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“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.”
Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini is widely believed to have been lined up as the 48-year-old’s successor, after an impressive season with the Spanish club.
However, in Mancini’s post-match interview with ITV after the FA Cup final, he refused to listen to questions surrounding his future in Manchester.
“You continue to speak about this for six months and there has been too much in the last two weeks,” he said.
“I don’t know why the club hasn’t stopped this because it is not correct and I don’t think it is true.
“It is rubbish this speculation. I will still be here next season. It is rubbish, but I know football and know that everything can happen.”
Mancini was handed and new five-year contract at City last summer, after securing the club’s first top flight title in 44 years in the most dramatic fashion.
But this season has not gone according to plan, as theBlues failed to challenge Manchester United in the Premier League.
City also failed to win a single Champions League game and fell at the final hurdle in the FA Cup.
The club face a trip to relegated Reading on Tuesday night, before completing the season by hosting Norwich City at the weekend.
Coach Brian Kidd will take control of first team affairs for the final two games, and for City’s summer tour to America.
Image courtesy of BBC, via YouTube, with thanks.
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