Looking from the outside the decision to relieve Roberto Mancini from
his position as Manchester City manager seems incredibly harsh.
In fact analysing the statement issued by City which seems like more
of public apology than dismissal only makes me more convinced that ending the
tenure of the second most successful manager in the club’s history is a major gamble.
Only Joe Mercer, a city icon and League, FA Cup, League Cup and
European Cup Winners' Cup has won more than Mancini while Sam Cowan (1946-47)
is the only post-war Blues boss with a higher winning ratio than the Italian.
"Despite everyone’s best efforts, the club has failed to achieve
any of its stated targets this year, with the exception of qualification for
next season’s UEFA Champions League,” read the club’s statement. A clear message that a Premier League runner-up spot and reaching an
FA Cup final is now deemed unacceptable.
If that is the case, what is the barometer of success on which Mancini
and indeed any incoming manager should be judged on?
Surely a successful season for City or any of country’s elite clubs is
first and foremost to secure a top four finish and if possible compete for the
Premier League title. A domestic cup run should be looked upon as a bonus while
the Champions League remains a challenge that few newcomers conquer.
If City’s dismal European form was a factor in Mancini’s removal those
that made the decision ought to remember the progress made by others in their
group – with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid facing off as semi-final
opponents little over a fortnight ago.
Could that have been City? Maybe but it is rare for a club in its
infancy of sitting at Europe’s top table to contest the latter stages of this
competition. Last season group stage defeats to Napoli and Bayern Munich proved
fatal while this year genuine optimism for a prolonged involvement in the
tournament was vanquished in the space of 190 seconds in The Estadio Santiago
Bernabéu on matchday one.
The manner of that 3-2 loss to Madrid and the impact of Karim Benzema
and Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goals, with City on the verge of a famous victory,
cannot be underestimated. It seemed to inextricably damage all that followed.
Poor relationships with his players and other staff within the club
have been cited as the rationale to the former Inter Milan man’s exit with the
club identifying a "need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of
football at the club".
However while the problems Mancini encountered with Carlos Tevez and
Mario Balotelli were remarkable both were coaxed into playing pivotal roles in
the title winning run-in.
Similarly, public admonishments of others including Joe Hart and Samir
Nasri have been jumped on as damaging for morale - yet his counterpart across
Manchester, the outgoing Sir Alex Ferguson, regarded by many as the greatest
manager ever has not been shy in delivering public rebukes to several of his stars.
Ask Roy Keane, Jaap Stam, David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy about their Old
Trafford exits.
If Mancini had lost the support of his players and the club hierarchy
there has at least been audible support from many fans, seemingly as bemused as
the Italian in the approach taken to remove him. Many chanted his name during
Saturday’s disappointing FA Cup Final display recognising the success he has
brought them goes beyond a simple trophy count.
Yes he’s spent money and been generously supported in the transfer
market - making a mockery of some of his own claims but at a time when United
and Chelsea are changing their men at the helm, perhaps many recognise that
Mancini's departure may be more detrimental than advantageous as City head into
2013-14.
