Roberto Mancini replaces Mark Hughes as Manchester City manager

Manchester City have sacked manager Mark Hughes only hours after a 4-3 victory against Sunderland. Former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini will replace Hughes at Eastlands.

The Welshman had been appointed in June 2008, replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson. During his 18-month spell with City, Hughes spent nearly £200 million bringing new players.

City’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and owner, Sheikh Mansour sought change after only winning two of eleven league matches.

On a statement on City’s official website, Al Mubarak said: “Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009-2010 season.

"The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.

"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change. This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career.”

The statement also confirmed Mancini as the new manager:

“Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships,” it read. “His experience and track record speak for themselves. What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City’s potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club.”

It appears that Hughes was aware of his impending sacking during the match with Sunderland, waving goodbye to the home fans after the final whistle.

Mancini, who watched Man City’s victory from the stands at Eastlands, takes over immediately after agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract. The Italian has managed Fiorentina and Inter Milan, where he won three successive Italian League titles and two Italian Cups, before being dismissed in May 2008.

Mancini’s first game in charge will be against Stoke on Boxing Day.

City currently lie sixth in the Premier League, having lost only twice in the league all season, and are through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.