Mancini Sacked by City Bosses
The footballing world is in shock after Manchester City announced that first-team manager Roberto Mancini has been removed from his post after a trophyless campaign in which his team finished 11 points behind rivals Manchester United in the title race, failed to leave the group stages of the Champions League, and lost in the FA Cup final at Wembley after a very disappointing performance against Wigan. This mix of misfortunes left many fans calling for his sacking, and they have got their wish.
However poorly Mancini did in the manager's hotseat this season, he will be forever remembered at the Etihad for what he accomplished with the Blues. He ended Manchester City's 35-year-long wait for a trophy, with a 1-0 victory in the FA Cup final against Stoke at Wembley in 2011. He also won Manchester City their first league title with a dramatic home win over QPR on the final game of the season, but despite all those successes, it failed to save him from the sack this year, and he will now be looking for a new job.
A short statement was released on the Manchester City website late last night, worded as follows:
"it is with great sadness that we announce that first-team manager Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his role with the club with immediate effect. The board feel that the trophyless season was unsatisfactory progress of Manchester City's stature, and have decided it is time for the club to move forward with a new manager, who the hierarchy will make an immediate start to the search for. We wish Mr. Mancini the best of luck in his future endeavors and his future career paths.
Manchester City fans across the globe took to online message boards and to Twitter to voice their distaste at Mancini's sacking, especially after the lack of support he received from the board of directors. It certainly seems unfair to relieve someone of their position after just one unsuccessful year, and many also seem to think he should have been given another chance to redeem himself, and get City back on the road to success.
The Citizens are expected to start their search for a new manager immediately, with Juup Heynckes one of the first favourites to emerge. However, former Manchester United favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named as a possible contender. According to the bookies though, former Real Madrid and Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini is being named the outright favourite to be named the next City boss.