Roberto Mancini's sacking might seem harsh to some, but it was something we all knew was going to happen eventually. The biggest hint was Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano's appointment to the higher administrative positions. City are building something big, and this was something they needed to do.
Mancini achieved a lot at the Etihad, winning those trophies he loves to speak of, and also bringing some magnificent players to the club like Yaya Toure and David Silva. From his point of view, City have been extremely harsh-they've fired a man who's built one of the best squads in the world. Mancini doesn't deserve how he's been treated, but he will almost definitely find another job, probably at Monaco. Football, however, isn't as simple as that. Man City know that at times they might have to be harsh on employees, but they've made the decision that benefits the club.
Mancini's 3rd full season in Britain has shown his limitations. His man-management is absolutely awful, he comes across as cold and distant, like Fabio Capello. His public criticism of players showed how he was trying to deflect attention from himself and put the blame on the players. He fell out with Joe Hart, ruining his confidence, Vincent Kompany, for committing the sin of representing your country, Samir Nasri for being Samir Nasri, and Joleon Lescott for no reason. Few would be too upset about him leaving, with the players appearing uninspired of late, as though they didn't want to play for him. Compare that with the love shown to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford this week or Chelsea players pining for Jose Mourinho's return to the club.
Begiristain and Sorriano have looked at other issues too. Mancini has a terrible record in Europe, never crossing the last 8 despite having 5 title winning sides in England and Italy. City had a difficult group but were absolutely destroyed in the Champions League. If you want to be as good as them, you must beat them. Experience wasn't an issue- his team is loaded with trophy winners. His biggest problem however, is in the transfer market. Mancini complains about the board not giving him the funds to bring the likes of van Persie, Hazard, De Rossi and Martinez in the summer, but City anyways had a fantastic squad, and they still spent 48 million on players Mancini no doubt had a role in picking, like Maicon. Does he need massive spending every single summer to win ? With FFP coming in soon, City have shown a desire to curb their spending and break even. Under Mancini, who struggled to get the best out of his players, that's not possible.
Manuel Pellegrini is one hell of a manager. City are lucky to have found him. He has the ability to extract every little bit out of his team. Villareal and Malaga have both done brilliantly under him, while his reign at Real Madrid saw the team win 96 points but fail to win the title because Pep Guardiola had such a brilliant team they would destroy a best-of-the-rest line up. He will bring stability and tactical nous to the club and will gel with the players and directors. His appointment could have been handled better but it makes sense. He will bring out the best of the team and give young players a chance to play the Spanish way, as Begiristain and Sorriano want. Based on his ability and Ferguson's absence next season, City will be favourites for the title and will do better in Europe.
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