Roberto Mancini is expected to be sacked as Manchester City manager in the next ten days and may not survive that long, the Italian is extremely unlikely to take the deposed Premier League champions on their post-season tour of the United States – which begins with a game against Chelsea in St Louis on May 23 – and might not even be in charge for their remaining two matches of the domestic campaign.
Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini is being lined up to replace Mancini, who has been in charge since December 2009.
The Chilean denied he had signed a deal at the Etihad Stadium, but it is understood that he is the probable successor.
City’s FA Cup final against Wigan on Saturday’s came hours after widespread reports that Mancini’s reign was effectively already over and that Pellegrini would be installed in his place.
After watching his side lose 1-0 to the Latics, Mancini complained about the lack of support from the club.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, owner Sheikh Mansour, chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain have all failed to back him publicly, and Mancini revealed a fortnight ago that he had received no assurances from the club’s owners that he will be there next season.
If Mancini does go before Tuesday’s game at Reading or Sunday’s home match against Norwich, assistant manager Brian Kidd would be the likely caretaker manager. Mancini’s other assistant, David Platt, could be sacked with him.
Mancini, a former manager of Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter, lifted the 2011 FA Cup and 2012 Premier League trophy with City, and has won 113 of his 191 games in charge.
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