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Kidd: Man City failed this season

Brian Kidd has urged Man City to appoint a new manager quickly © PA Photos

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Manchester City caretaker manager Brian Kidd has admitted the club has not reached the standards they set as Premier League champions after succumbing to a final day 3-2 defeat to Norwich.

City twice rallied from going behind to their visitors but a stunning Jonny Howson goal midway through the second half claimed all three points for the Canaries.

And despite refusing to make excuses for the defeat, Kidd was quick to point out his squad had endured an emotional week leading up to the match.

City were still licking their wounds from the FA Cup final defeat to Wigan and the loss of their domestic crown when the club's owners sacked manager Roberto Mancini. It was a culmination of events that caused much upheaval for both the club and its fans.

"It's been a really emotional week," Kidd told the club's official website. "That's not making an excuse. The defeat at Wembley [in the FA Cup final], the boss going ... it's been a tough week.

"I think we all seem a bit washed out at the moment. I think we're drained, to be perfectly honest."

City finished second in the league, 11 points off their arch-rivals Manchester United, but failed to live up to their billing as champions, failing to advance out of the group stages of the Champions League, before faltering in the league and the domestic cups.

And Kidd believes only a return to their championship-winning standards will propel City back to the top of the Premier League.

However, the 63-year-old emphasised the club's first point of a call should be the hiring of a manager who could re-instil those standards.

"We've got to look at where we can improve because the standards we set last season, we haven't reached this season," Kidd observed. "The priority is to get a new manager first. That is the biggest priority. I'm pretty sure the club will scrutinise whoever they've got as candidates but the priority, for me, is the manager."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.