Roberto Mancini, the right man for City?

After three and a half years in charge of Manchester City, Roberto Mancini has delivered three trophies to a club prior to his appointment had went thirty five years without silverware. The former Inter boss has spent his entire reign as City boss fighting off a media backlash that has surrounded the club since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour of the United Arab Emirates in 2008.

City's first trophy in thirty five years

When Roberto Mancini arrived at Manchester City on December 21st 2009 after the dismissal of Mark Hughes, the problems at the club were worrying for any City fan. With the whole country now against the club after the portrayed dismissal of the Welshman, Mancini had now both internal and external issues he had to deal with. Hughes was rumoured to have known the morning of a 4-3 win against Sunderland at home that it would be indeed his final game in charge of the club. Some disappointing performances including eight draws in a row and a shocking display away at Tottenham three days previous, had convinced the owners that the Italian was indeed the man for the job.

Mancini inherited a squad full of egotistical members with zero passion for the club or the clubs project. Stars such as Craig Bellamy, Robinho and Wayne Bridge were soon sent out of the club on loan in the hope someone would decide to take them on permanently. After immediately taken control of the training methods and introducing his own style of play, he wasn't long about bringing Vincent Kompany back to the defence line. A move he's yet to look back from.

The infamous trophy drought was ended in May of 2011 after Mancini took his City side to Wembley where Yaya Toure's goal was the difference to end thirty five years of misery for the City faithful. Signing's such as Sergio Aguero, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri were brought in to try and take United's hold on their Premier League crown off. Mancini was soon able to establish a terrific front four of Samir Nasri, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez by the end of the season.

Mancini and Balotelli training ground bust up

Carlos Tevez' season as well as Mancini's was dampened the events in Munich six months previous. A situation the charismatic Italian dealt extremely well. Strikers have been the achilles heel of the City boss. His well publicised relationship with Mario Balotelli caused Mancini many sleepless nights and headaches. A relationship the media truly linched onto trying to promote animosity in the City camp. Eventually his patience with the Italian blew over and in January 2013, Balotelli was sold to Milan where he has since shown his capabilities.

During his time with as manager with Manchester City, Mancini has found himself with never ending pocket's. On twenty players signed in Mancini's era, he has spent an estimated two hundred and seventy one million pounds. Most of these players have been an inspiration with many going down in City folklore, but signings such as Jerome Boateng, Samir Nasri and Aleksandr Kolarov have failed to meet the expectations of the fans. Mancini suffered no tougher challenge than he did this summer when rumoured transfer targets Eden Hazard and Robin Van Persie rejected the move to the Champions for the chance to join Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

Behind the scenes issues were developing and reached fever point when Roberto was publicly critical of stand in CEO Brian Marwood after failing to land top targets. Marwood's professionalism came into question after City had rumoured to have brokered a deal to sign Roma legend Danielle De Rossi until Marwood cost City the signing off the hardy Italian. Contract issues with Nigel De Jong forced Mancini into allowing the sale of the Dutchman and bringing in unproven Javi Garcia instead, a move that has since not worked out for De Jong or City.

Since the arrival of former Barcelona duo Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano Mancini's future has
been in doubt after every slip up. After the story broke during the summer that Mancini was in talks with Monaco at the end of last season, many fans have since turned against the man that has brought nothing but success to the club. His tactics, his selection and man management have been questioned throughout the season. The fast free flowing football that captured City their first league success in forty four years has only been shown in glimpses this season with the side now scored nineteen less goals than what they had done at the same point last season.

If Mancini was to go who would come in?

Jurgen Klopp: 

The Dortmund coach has gathered a reputation in European Football as one of the finest young coaches in Europe. His fast free flowing football and great policy in youth would make him an ideal contender. However, his experience is thin.

Michael Laudrup: 

Since his appointment with Swansea in the summer, his reputation as a coach has develop with the world watching. He brought Swansea his first success last month with the Carling Cup victory of League two Bradford City, however doubts will remain whether he is ready for the jump to the top.

Jose Mourinho:

Arguably the best coach in world football for the last ten years. Three champions league successes with three different clubs and domestic cups and leagues won with four different clubs shows Mourinho knows what is required to bring success to a club. No doubt about it with Mourinho comes controvesy. His failure to commit long term to clubs and egotistical mindset put doubts whether he is the man for City.

David Moyes:

Man management and tactical awareness make David Moyes one of the best British managers in quiet some time. Managing to keep Everton in European contention year in year out on a shoe string budget can only be admired. Yet to make the step to the top, I would remain skeptical over the Scots cridencials.

Manuel Pelligrini:

Like Moyes, managed to bring success and over achieve during his time with Villarreal. Finishing second in the league and getting the same sized club to the champions league semi finals with them brought him the chance to manage Real Madrid where he struggled despite signings such as Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka.







Would any of these five men be do a better job than what Roberto Mancini has done for City? Have City become successful despite of Mancini or have they reached such successes because of Mancini?