Roberto Mancini’s position as Manchester City manager will be reviewed at the end of this season, even if the club wins the FA Cup final this weekend.
Having failed to accomplish the other targets set for him by City’s fabulously rich and equally ambitious Abu Dhabi owners this season – progression to the Champions League knockout stages and retention of the Premier League title – Mancini could be preparing for his final trophy attempt as City manager ahead of the trip to Wembley on Sunday Morning our time to face relegation threatened Wigan.
Man City are firm favourites to lift the FA Cup trophy after they defeated a strong Chelsea side 2-1 in the semi-finals to reach their second FA Cup final in three years.
In the 2011 final they defeated Stoke City, who appeared in their first ever FA Cup final to end the blue section of Manchester’s 35-year trophy drought.
Last season of course, they managed to add the English Premier League trophy after a final thrilling weekend in May 2012.
But this season City have failed to make it beyond Christmas Eve in both the Champions League and the League Cup, and with Manchester United surging to victory in the English Premier League, it leaves the FA Cup as their only chance of silverware.
However, with his side also in a comfortable position in second place in the league, Mancini still holds out hope of remaining in the EPL and sees no reason to be downcast about their performances this season.
“It is not a question of salvaging the season. You never know how good your season will be until after the last game,” he said.
However, close associates of Mancini in Italy have claimed privately that the former Inter Milan coach’s prospects at City were as good as over with the club’s elimination from the Champions League in December, albeit in a group containing Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
He is well respected in Italian football and if released by City would have no trouble finding another rewarding job in Europe.
Mancini, who signed a five-year contract worth £7.5m a year to remain as City manager last summer, has repeated his insistence that the club’s failure to strengthen the squad to his requirements has denied him the chance to meet his goals.
“Yes, 100 percent,” Mancini said when asked whether missing out on top targets had harmed City’s season. “Probably we would be on the top, we could win our second title, and probably also in the Champions League quarter-finals.”
With chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain – both appointed this season – already drawing up plans for the club’s immediate and long-term future, Mancini is not guaranteed to figure in their blueprint beyond the end of this season, especially if he fails to capture another FA Cup trophy.
Money is no option for the Manchester City board and there have been rumours and suggested links with the likes of Real’s Mourinho, Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini and Ajax’s Frank de Boer.
City of course have played down the speculation, even though reports in South America are claiming that the Chilean Pellegrini had been verbally offered Mancini’s job and accepted terms, strongly denied by City.
Mancini’s abrasive management style has caused continuing tensions within the team dressing-room. The growing hostility towards Mancini from some players is barely disguised and there are concerns that his approach is no longer having the desired effect.
The final is turning into a personal crusade for Mancini to prove his pedigree as a football manager and scoff the English press’ criticisms about being a one-time success and big time failure.
As usual, we’ll be staying up late on Saturday night and Sunday morning to watch it live on SBS free-to-air and enjoy the atmosphere and celebrations. This one is going to require a little bit more stamina and match practice, as it falls right on Mothers’ day morning where I’m guaranteed not to get enough sleep.
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