Soccer

Sacked Roberto Mancini described by former kit man as ‘arrogant and vain’

Fans dismayed by Italian’s dismissal after last year’s league win

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini leaves the team hotel in London. City sacked the Italian last night after his team’s feeble defence of the Premier League title they won exactly one year ago. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters
Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini leaves the team hotel in London. City sacked the Italian last night after his team’s feeble defence of the Premier League title they won exactly one year ago. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters
Jamie Jackson
Tue May 14 2013 - 16:00

Stephen Aziz, the former kit man at Manchester City, has criticised Roberto Mancini following his sacking as manager, describing him as “arrogant, vain and self-centred” in one of a series of tweets that were later deleted from his Twitter account on Tuesday morning.

Mancini finally lost his job on Monday evening with one reason being his divisive management style that had upset some members of staff. Aziz, who left for Sunderland last summer, tweeted: “Arrogant, vain, self-centred no manners ignorant just some of the daily traits really made going into work a daily grind!! #karma”.

Another read: “Not my style to come in here and start to bad mouth someone but this guy was really a piece of work!!!”. He added: “Fans don’t get to see what really goes on and day 2 day running 2 years there seeing him every day was hard work getting a ‘good morning’”.

But he praised the club itself, saying: “Mcfc on the other hand what a great club to work for some great players and staff nice down to earth ppl loved working there!!! #MCFC”.

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Mancini declined to speak to the waiting media in London today as his former City players left their hotel to prepare for tonight’s trip to Reading.

City’s fans have reacted with dismay to the sacking with Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Manchester City Supporters Club, suggesting that any lack of harmony behind the scenes was a side issue. “I think they are looking for peace, harmony and happiness in the camp. That would suggest that under Roberto that isn’t the case,” he said.

“We all hear rumours and hear stories about it not being a particularly happy camp. But as fans our interest is a successful football team, success and trophies, and under Roberto that is what we got.

“Of course we are disappointed we have not won a trophy this season but in the eyes of City fans, that is not failure. When you have waited as long as we have for trophies, then the three Roberto has brought in three years are certainly keeping us happy.”

Parker added: “It is unbelievable. The club have said the targets set haven’t been met, but finishing second in the Premier League and losing finalists in the FA Cup would suggest those targets might have been unachievable. Does that mean we had to win the Premier League and win the FA Cup? I’m not sure.”