Mancini Sacked! A Year After Winning The Title, Kidd Set To Take Charge Of Final Two Games

Roberto Mancini has been sacked by Manchester City a year to the day after lifting the Premier League title.

The City bosses position was under threat ahead of the FA Cup final with Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini heavily linked with the position. And now the axe has fallen on Mancini - who won the FA Cup and Premier League title  - in his three -and-a-half years at the the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini learned on Monday night he had been relieved of his duties after failing to achieve any of the club's 'stated targets' for the season.

The news comes exactly a year to the day after City won the Premier League in dramatic circumstances on the final day of last season.

But it is Mancini's failure to build on that achievement that has seen his three-and-a-half year tenure brought to an end.

Brian Kidd is set to take charge of the remaining two games of the season, away to Reading on Tuesday and then at home to Norwich and the forthcoming tour of the United States.

A club statement read: 'It is with regret that Manchester City Football Club announces that Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his duties as Manchester City manager.

'This has been a difficult decision for the owner, chairman and board to make and it is the outcome of a planned end-of-season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation and out of respect for Roberto and his extensive contributions to the football club.

'Despite everyone's best efforts, the club has failed to achieve any of its stated targets this year, with the exception of qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

'This, combined with an identified need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club, has meant that the decision has been taken to find a new manager for the 2013-14 season and beyond.'

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: '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.

'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.'

From DailyMail