Breaking news: Manchester City sack Mancini

Manchester City have tonight confirmed that Roberto Mancini has been sacked. The news was leaked to the press ahead of City’s defeat against Wigan in the FA Cup final on Saturday but Mancini appeared to think it was just paper talk.

“You continue to speak about this for six months and also too much in the last two weeks,” he said after the game. “I don’t know why the club didn’t stop this because I don’t think it’s true.”

However, the club have today confirmed that it is true, with Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini favourite to replace him.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “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.”

Assistant Manager Brian Kidd will take interim responsibility for the remaining two games of the season and the post-season tour to the United States.