re: Roberto Mancini officially out at City

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Was not just City’s relatively disappointing league season that left chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain convinced they needed a change.

The pair — who weren’t at the club when Mancini led City to Premier League glory a year ago today — have been alarmed by the Italian's deteriorating relationship with players and staff at all levels.

He has spent much of this campaign arguing privately and publicly with Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri. Mancini was even photographed grappling with Mario Balotelli on the training ground in the weeks before the striker was sold to AC Milan.

The City manager has also argued behind the scenes with executive staff. His habit of complaining in press conferences that the board let him down on transfers last summer has also ruffled feathers.

Mancini, for his part, has always been oblivious to how his behaviour away from the field was leading him into troubled waters. Late on Saturday at Wembley, he was still complaining that he was not being treated well.

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