Soccer:Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has squashed speculation that Roberto Mancini will be sacked this summer and revealed the Blues boss will be given "all the tools he needs" to make the club a success.
As Mancini was installed as successor to Mark Hughes in December and given the stated target of reaching 70 points or cementing a top-four berth, last night’s defeat to Tottenham, which means the Blues will just miss out on both counts, has been interpreted by some as the death knell for his reign.
Yet, despite the negativity that surrounded their handling of Hughes’ departure, Khaldoon and owner Sheikh Mansour have never viewed Mancini’s appointment as a short-term option.
And, although they will spend the summer planning for the Europa League rather than the Champions League as they hoped, the City hierarchy are committed to Mancini.
“There is no speculation,” Khaldoon told www.mcfc.co.uk. “Roberto has done an excellent job. I am very happy and Sheikh Mansour is delighted with the way he has organised the team. With a good pre-season to prepare for next season he (Mancini) is going to do a wonderful job for us next season and for many years.
“I have the highest regard for him as a human being and as a person and believe he is definitely the right manager for this club for many years.”
Khaldoon’s words will come as a relief to the majority of the City faithful, who feel their club would benefit from a period of stability after going through five managers in the past six seasons.
Although many would argue the Blues have performed no better than was the case when Hughes was at the helm, the argument from those inside the club is that the Welshman let himself down with a lack of communication with senior figures inside the club, particularly football director Brian Marwood, whose influence is so strong.
Khaldoon certainly sees enough progress to be reasonably satisfied with City’s efforts this term.
“We made a big leap last year,” he said. “It is a different team now, especially in the last couple of months. “This is a much more organised team.
“Roberto is driven and committed. He has a winning mentality. He wants to achieve things and has the interests of the club at heart.
“What he needs this summer is time to prepare. We know the areas which need to be improved and the manager will be given all the tools he needs to be well prepared for next season.”
It will be fascinating to see how much reshaping of the City squad actually takes place.
Although Mancini rubber-stamped Adam Johnson’s signing in January, his only real signing was former Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira.
He has now had time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of those at his disposal, so his handling of Robinho and Emmanuel Adebayor, who cost over €65 million between them, is awaited with eager interest.
There could up to a dozen departures, although Carlos Tevez, who has been heavily linked with a big money move to Spain, does not look like being amongst them.
“Carlos Tevez has scored 29 goals and has been the heart and soul of this team,” said Khaldoon. “He has been absolutely phenomenal. I have no doubt he’s going to be the best player in the world — it is just a matter of time.”
Khaldoon must hope his claim proves to be correct and Tevez can be used as one of the attractions of a move to City given they will not be able to offer Champions League combat next term.
There is obvious disappointment around the Blues camp about that fact, but no sense of defeatism. If those who cast envious glances towards the riches being bestowed at Eastlands feel one season’s setback is going to derail the grand Abu Dhabi-backed plan, they are mistaken.
“We are going to get there,” said Khaldoon. “But we just cannot allow ourselves to sulk. Fifth is not where we would have liked to be but it’s a major achievement for this club.
“Many people want success today and that is natural. I would have loved us to win the league this year. But I don’t think you can win the league without building a winning mentality and that is happened this year. It’s been successful. We will come back stronger, determined to move forward.”