Manchester City assistant manager David Platt has resigned with immediate effect after the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini, a club statement revealed today.
Platt joined former Sampdoria team mate Mancini at the Etihad Stadium in July 2010 as first team coach, working alongside fellow assistant Brian Kidd.
However after the Italian’s sacking yesterday evening, a club statement revealed the ex-England international has declined the opportunity to stay with City.
“With regret Manchester City announce that David Platt has this afternoon left his role as assistant manager at the club,” a statement on the club website read.
“David was offered the opportunity to continue his work with us but has declined the invitation. He has decided to leave his role with his close friend Roberto Mancini.
“David has made a significant contribution to the club’s success since joining in 2010 and we wish him well with his career wherever that now takes him.”
Platt credits Mancini with convincing him to join Sampdoria from Bari in 1993 in his autobiography, after an exchange they had in the tunnel prior to a match against each other.
The former Manchester United trainee’s appointment at Eastlands was not popular with all Blues’ fans however due to a perceived anti-City stance in the media.
He had also been widely criticised by City fans for regularly preferring Jermaine Pennant to Blues favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips while managing England Under-21s.
However, after helping Mancini to deliver the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League in 2012, Platt had managed to win some fans over.
He also often filled in for Mancini in press conferences, prompting the Italian to wear a mask of Platt before the Blues faced Aston Villa in November.
The club are yet to name a successor to Mancini who was sacked one year into a five year contract last night but Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini remains favourite to take over.
Brian Kidd will take charge of the club until the end of the season and for their post-season tour of America.
Image courtesy of mcfcofficial, via YouTube, with thanks
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