After being on the wrong end of an historic FA Cup score-line, the jury is definitely out on the Manchester City manager who has not given the owners or fans anything to smile about this season.
The scenes at the New Wembley were simply incredible. Wigan Athletic did the unconceivable by beating Manchester City in the Final of the FA Cup. Roberto Martinez’s side have struggled for survival this season but they turned in a great display against a side, whose manager could be shown the door at the end of the season.
Though he tried his best not to give the appearance of a man who is under pressure, it was quite clear that Mancini is worried about his future at the club. When the season ends, Manchester City will have nothing to show for their efforts apart from an automatic qualification to the Champions League which is a feat that was always a given more or less.
Indeed when he replaced Mark Hughes a few years back, many people thought that Roberto Mancini will be able to turn things around for a club backed by oil-rich owners. And after last season’s exploits, many people thought that finally Manchester United’s hegemony in the country could be over.
Instead, City under Mancini, regressed rather than progress. The Italian had the luxury of owners who were very much willing to break the bank in order to get him the player he wants. The way Mancini has spent money since his arrival, should have put the club in a strong position to fight on all fronts.
However, nothing has gone according to plan for a manager whose first half of the campaign was largely spent bickering at former player Mario Balotelli who is showing a lot of maturity at AC Milan. Balotelli’s emergence at AC Milan is a clear proof of the fact that man management is not Mancini’s greatest strengths and he has failed to get the best out of his players.
A hallmark of all great managers has been great man-management, a concept that Mancini has more or less failed to grasp. Throughout his time at City, Balotelli acted like a spoilt child and there was never a time when Mancini actually tried to discipline the volatile Italian in a professional manner. In the end, he was sold to Milan where he is arguably, in the form of his life.
Throughout the season, Mancini moaned about the players not moving on from last season’s achievements. Rather than lamenting in front of the cameras, Mancini’s time should have been spent with his players, discussing their problems and identifying the root cause of all the problems the team was having.
Moreover, Mancini’s tactics never seemed to work in the absence of the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva. The Italian manager never really had a plan B for the absence of these two players who are the heart and soul of the squad.
Although one can say that City were somewhat unlucky in the Champions League, being in a group that had the previous season’s champions from Germany, Netherlands and Spain. However, City themselves were the champions of England and failed miserably to maintain England’s pride by finishing as the bottom most team in the group.
If rumours are to be taken seriously, Manchester City owners are currently assessing the situation of Malaga manager, Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean has done an amazing job with the Andalusian side whose financial problems are well-documented which means that if given the right amount of money, he could transform the club’s fortunes.
This season, Mancini was unable to even seriously challenge United for the league title, let alone retain it. With a budget that arouses envy in most managers, Mancini was unable to get the best out of players who definitely have a lot of potential in them. Though they might not have thought about it, the club’s leaders might consider a parting of ways as soon as the current season ends and who’s to blame them after all the funds they had made available so gladly for the manager.
Though he tried his best not to give the appearance of a man who is under pressure, it was quite clear that Mancini is worried about his future at the club. When the season ends, Manchester City will have nothing to show for their efforts apart from an automatic qualification to the Champions League which is a feat that was always a given more or less.
Indeed when he replaced Mark Hughes a few years back, many people thought that Roberto Mancini will be able to turn things around for a club backed by oil-rich owners. And after last season’s exploits, many people thought that finally Manchester United’s hegemony in the country could be over.
Instead, City under Mancini, regressed rather than progress. The Italian had the luxury of owners who were very much willing to break the bank in order to get him the player he wants. The way Mancini has spent money since his arrival, should have put the club in a strong position to fight on all fronts.
However, nothing has gone according to plan for a manager whose first half of the campaign was largely spent bickering at former player Mario Balotelli who is showing a lot of maturity at AC Milan. Balotelli’s emergence at AC Milan is a clear proof of the fact that man management is not Mancini’s greatest strengths and he has failed to get the best out of his players.
A hallmark of all great managers has been great man-management, a concept that Mancini has more or less failed to grasp. Throughout his time at City, Balotelli acted like a spoilt child and there was never a time when Mancini actually tried to discipline the volatile Italian in a professional manner. In the end, he was sold to Milan where he is arguably, in the form of his life.
Throughout the season, Mancini moaned about the players not moving on from last season’s achievements. Rather than lamenting in front of the cameras, Mancini’s time should have been spent with his players, discussing their problems and identifying the root cause of all the problems the team was having.
Moreover, Mancini’s tactics never seemed to work in the absence of the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva. The Italian manager never really had a plan B for the absence of these two players who are the heart and soul of the squad.
Although one can say that City were somewhat unlucky in the Champions League, being in a group that had the previous season’s champions from Germany, Netherlands and Spain. However, City themselves were the champions of England and failed miserably to maintain England’s pride by finishing as the bottom most team in the group.
If rumours are to be taken seriously, Manchester City owners are currently assessing the situation of Malaga manager, Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean has done an amazing job with the Andalusian side whose financial problems are well-documented which means that if given the right amount of money, he could transform the club’s fortunes.
This season, Mancini was unable to even seriously challenge United for the league title, let alone retain it. With a budget that arouses envy in most managers, Mancini was unable to get the best out of players who definitely have a lot of potential in them. Though they might not have thought about it, the club’s leaders might consider a parting of ways as soon as the current season ends and who’s to blame them after all the funds they had made available so gladly for the manager.
