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Former Man City star says Mancini failed

Roberto Mancini failed to win any silverware for Manchester City this season © Getty Images

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Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills says he is not surprised by the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini, insisting the Italian failed to meet "City's standing and expectations".

City announced Mancini's departure with a brief statement on their official website, claiming the club "failed to achieve any of its stated targets this season".

Although Mancini broke City's 35-year trophy drought by guiding the club to the 2010-11 FA Cup triumph and claimed the league title a year later, Mills believes the pressures of managing one of the Premier League's top clubs demands consistent results.

"He will go down in Manchester City folklore for winning their first trophy in 35 years," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "But only meeting one of the five targets, he's obviously failed on what he was asked to do.

"City's standing and expectations are completely different to those of a Reading or a Southampton."

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is a clear favourite to replace Mancini at the Etihad, although the Chilean denied he has agreed a deal with City.

Former City striker David White believes the club's players and fans will be largely disappointed with the decision, but has backed Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho to succeed Mancini.

"I think overall they (the fans) were definitely behind the manager," White told Sky Sports News. "They have had success with him not seen over the past couple of years.

"The new manager comes in and if he starts well then you know things are quickly forgotten - it depends how the new manager starts next season.

"Given the choice between Mourinho and Pellegrini, they (the fans) would love to see Mourinho at the club. But whether he fits in with what they want, he does tend to come and go at a football club. He would certainly be my choice and most City fans.

"It seems that they (the new manager) need to be successful in Europe and that is the aim of the club. They are looking at silverware every season. A lot of the players were incredible last year. They fell a little bit short this year. This makes a massive difference.

"We've got the top three teams that are going to finish all without a manager and if you want someone, you want to get them early. It is difficult to keep that away from the press and then the manager."

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