Manchester City Sack Coach Mark Hughes

MARK HUGHES.

London (THEWILL) - Manchester City released a statement late Saturday confirming the sack of coach Mark Hughes, who has lost just two matches this season.

Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini will take over from Hughes.

City had a 4-3 home win over Sunderland on Saturday before his sack.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told the official club website: "Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the Board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009/2010 season.

"The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.

"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change.

"This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career."

Al Mubarak also confirmed the permanent appointment with immediate effect of Mancini alongside Brian Kidd who will become assistant manager.

Al Mubarak said: "Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships. His experience and track record speak for themselves.

"What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City's potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club."

The club confirmed that Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges have also left and further appointments will be announced in due course.

Hughes won 36 and lost 25 of his 77 matches in charge at Eastlands. Eight of the 16 draws came in the last 11 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

He splashed out almost £200m on players during his 18-month reign, including a record-breaking British transfer fee of £32.4m on Robinho. City also spent big on Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.

Hughes has guided the team to the last four of the Carling Cup, the club's first domestic semi-final since 1981. They also beat Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Mancini's first match in charge of City will be the home fixture against Stoke City on Boxing Day followed by a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 28th December.

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