MANCHESTER CITY SACK MANCINI A YEAR AFTER WINNING THEIR FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE IN 44 YEARS

Final farewell: Roberto Mancini has been sacked by Manchester City after losing the FA Cup final

Roberto Mancini’s reign as Manchester City manager was ended in brutal fashion last night as he was labelled a failure and sacked a year to the day after he won the Barclays Premier League title.

The Italian, who is expected to net a £7million pay-off, was told he was no longer wanted just hours after taking training for City’s match at Reading tonight.

City, whose statement bizarrely addressed the need for the club to develop a ‘holistic approach’, have yet to seal the finer points of a deal for Malaga’s Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini. Mancini’s assistant Brian Kidd has been put in charge for the last two games of the season.

Last stand: Mancini took training at QPR's Loftus Road on Monday morning ahead of City's Reading clash

Mancini is believed to have been told by chief executive Ferran Soriano last night that he was being sacked. Mancini then took a call from chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who is in Abu Dhabi.

Pellegrini, 59, has verbally agreed to take over once City exercise a £3.3m release clause. But he is also being monitored by Barcelona amid concerns over the ability of Tito Vilanova, who has undergone treatment for cancer, to continue as coach at the Nou Camp.

After City lost the FA Cup final to Wigan on Saturday, the board decided to bring the curtain down on Mancini’s time as quickly as possible to avoid the bad publicity that would have followed if he had stood on the touchline at Reading when people knew he was finished.

On the way out: Mancini pictured leaving his London hotel on Monday morning

Making the call: Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the board have opted to saked Mancini

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.'

The last walk: Mancini walks to collect his runners-up medal after the FA Cup final defeat to Wigan

Ready to take charge: Brian Kidd has been placed in charge for the final two games of the season

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.

Set to take control: Manuel Pellegrini is set to be named as Mancini's replacement

Goodluck Mancini!