Roberto Mancini sacked as Manchester City manager

Roberto Mancini has been sacked as Manchester City manager after three-and-a-half years at the helm.

City thanked Mancini for the job he had done, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak saying: "Roberto's record speaks for itself, he secured the love and respect of fans.

Here is a quote from City, "He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success."

City added in their statement that it was "a difficult decision", explaining it was "the outcome of a planned end of season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation".
The 48-year-old Italian replaced Mark Hughes in December 2009, winning the FA Cup in 2011 and City's first top-flight league title for 44 years in 2012 - a year to the day before his sacking.

Mancini was critical of Manchester City officials for failing to deny the newspaper reports that surfaced on the morning of Saturday's FA Cup final stating he would be sacked and replaced by Pellegrini.
City were beaten by Ben Watson's 90th-minute header at Wembley as Wigan, struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League in 18th place, became the lowest ranked team to win the FA Cup since West Ham in 1980.


Mancini's assistant, Brian Kidd, is to take temporary charge of the team for their final two matches of the Premier League campaign and their post-season friendlies in USA.