City crash out of Europe: Is Mancini exit imminent?
In short: probably not.
Roberto Mancini’s job is safe but it is interesting that there is not intense scrutiny on his job security following a rather poor Champions League campaign. That is probably down to the fact that Man City owner Sheikh Mansour is a little less ruthless (who isn’t?) than Roman Abramovich over in West London with his play thing, Chelsea FC.
Plus, Citeh were a touch unfortunate to be placed in the Group of Immediate and Horrible Death with not only the Dutch champions in Ajax but also the Spanish and German champions, too. Still, one point isn’t acceptable but Mancini is most likely avoiding serious questions about his job because of the Premier League title he brought to the blue side of Manchester last year.
I don’t think it is too inconceviable that this may well be Mancini’s last season with City, though. A few weeks ago the story emerged that Mancini was half way to Monaco last season when things weren’t looking too great for his side in the league.
Two unsuccessful attempts at the Champions League have also stacked the odds against Mancini as Sheikh Mansour will surely recognise that the talent he has provided Mancini with must do better than the group stages of the competition.
Another Premier League title may save the Italian’s bacon, and City are currently unbeaten and in first place with half the season gone. They have looked poor, though, and nowhere near the standard required to win the league.
Conversely, perhaps the Premier League’s standards have slipped this season altogether as it appears United can now get away with having a terrible back four and still win loads of games. This debate is for another day, however, so let’s leave it there.
Anyway, City’s abysmal showing in the Champions League has certainly shortened Mancini’s life expectancy with the club and, considering how easily rich owners dismiss their managers these days, he is already walking on very thin ice.
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