Caretaker boss Brian Kidd could not hide his relief after seeing Manchester City seal second place with victory at Reading after a testing few days for the club.
Despite losing the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic on Saturday and seeing manager Roberto Mancini sacked last night, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko fired City to victory.
And Kidd – in charge of a game for the first time since being sacked by Blackburn Rovers in 1999 – admitted the result was the best he could have hoped for.
“I’ve got to be honest if you were to ask me what’s gone in the last 24 hours – it was a shock to the staff and I would have just taken the result,” he told the club website.
“If you’d have said to me before the game you’ll get three points and seal second place I’d have accepted that the way the last 48 hours have gone.
“I think the three points was the most important thing. I think you get to this stage of the season where it’s not about performances it’s about getting results.
“It would have been a travesty if we hadn’t finished second.”
Kidd – a popular player for both Manchester United and City – was also keen to praise the support he had received from the backroom staff at the club.
But the 63-year-old ensured all praise for the performance was directed at the players and the support of City’s loyal following.
“The staff, the fans and the players did it for the club tonight so I was personally pleased,” he added.
“The way they acknowledged the fans as well was nice – we really appreciated them.
“There was a special effort from the players and the backroom staff have been terrific as well. I’ve had a lot of support from the backroom staff and it’s been really good.
“All credit to the players. They’re the ones who have had to put up with stuff off the pitch as well so I’m pleased for them.
“It’s not me, I’ve just come in. Ferran [Soriano] said to me would I take the team for the next two days. Being a Manchester lad I couldn’t say no – I wouldn’t be able to walk round Market Street if I’d turned it down!”
Image courtesy of Manchester City, via CityTV, with thanks
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