14 May 2013

Mancini sacked as City manager

6:40 pm on 14 May 2013

A year to the day after leading Manchester City to the English Premier League football title, Roberton Mancini has been sacked as manager of the side.

City's shock FA Cup Final loss to Wigan at the weekend meant they ended this season without any silverware and strengthened rumours Mancini, who replaced Mark Hughes in 2009, was about to be sacked.

City's Champions League qualification has been overshadowed by the uninspiring nature of their title defence, with the club a distant second to already crowned English champions Manchester United.

The 48-year-old Mancini'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 and saw the manager rewarded with a new five-year deal.

But City's second successive group stage exit in as many seasons from the lucrative and prestigious European Champions League appears to have weighed heavily against Mancini.

That cut little ice with owner Sheikh Mansour, clearly demanding more from a colossal investment in City, whose reported wage bill of $400 million is the highest in the Premier League.

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

Brian Kidd, Mancini's assistant, will take charge of City's final two matches of the season.