Mancini future in doubt as Premier League title hopes fade
Published:As crumbling league form sees Manchester City’s title hopes appear more and more far-fetched, Roberto Mancini’s hopes of keeping his job look to be dwindling also, with the Italian just 4/7 not to be in charge of City by the first game of next season.
Disciplinary issues have plagued City all season, and despite chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak initially seeing Mancini’s abrasive management approach as a plus when appointing him, the way he has handled issues recently may have convoluted this opinion.
Widespread unrest is believed to have stemmed from Mancini’s reactions to the petulance of Mario Balotelli, with several squad members feeling the young Italian is afforded more leniency from the boss than they would be.
City’s league form has stuttered of late also, with a defeat and two draws occurring in their last four games leaving rivals Manchester City as 1/10 favourites to win the title.
You can get 5/1 about City landing a maiden Premier League trophy, and whilst that would go a long way to ensuring Mancini’s stay with the club is extended beyond the end of the season, it now looks a highly improbable scenario.
Some punters may believe that missing out on the title after such a lengthy stint at the Premier League helm will be the kiss of death for Mancini, and there are 3/1 odds available about the Citizens achieving league glory next season under a new boss.
Mancini does have the support of the City fans in abundance though.
Whilst that would appear to count for little at many clubs with foreign owners nowadays, we have yet to see City’s Abu Dhabi hierarchy ignore the Eastlands fan base thus far, and it could therefore be worth getting behind the 5/4 for Mancini to remain in charge by the first game of next season.
