Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has spoken of his pain at being relieved of his duties at the club despite achieving what his bosses demanded – the Premier League title.
The Italian was sacked by City in May after the club failed to reclaim the title and finished runners-up in the FA Cup.
Yet Mancini pointed out that he had rebuilt a club and achieved Premier League glory in only his second year.
Speaking in an interview with the Italian Paper Corriere dello Sport the former Inter Milan manager said: “Even now, I still do not understand why. It is still painful I admit.
“I think I deserved more respect for what I had done for Manchester City.”
Mancini won City’s first trophy since their League Cup victory in 1976.
He followed that with a community shield and a Premier League title in 2012
“In three and a half seasons with my staff, I believe I did an extraordinary job,” Mancini said.
“The numbers are clear. This sacking still does not have a reason.
“The Arabs called me and said to me ‘in three years we want the title’, and I won it in the second year. Then I rebuilt a club that was not at the top level of football. Evidently, chairman Khaldoon must have had in his head some situations that were not true.”
The former Italian international indicated that City chief executive Ferran Soriano had a clear role in orchestrating his dismissal.
“For him I was a person too big [for the club]. He and I did not speak the same language and I do not mean Italian, Spanish or English,” he said.
Mancini also spoke candidly about the departure of controversial striker Mario Balotelli and his tumultuous relationship with Milan player which included an infamous training ground bust-up.
“By that time, I understood that in England he was not very well any more. He, like Suarez, was targeted by opponents, referees, the public,” Mancini added.
“Sure he has not done anything to avoid certain situations.
“I love him, but I have not heard from him since he arrived at Milan.”
Image courtesy of MCFC video via YouTube, with thanks.
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