Manchester City star Stephen Ireland has a patchy record with Italian managers thus far in his career but has backed new boss Roberto Mancini to prove a hit at Eastlands and says the players must move on from the departure of Mark Hughes.
Hughes was axed earlier this month just hours after the win over Sunderland with Mancini immediately installed as his replacement.
The treatment of Hughes by the City hierarchy fuelled rumours of dressing room unrest at the appointment of Mancini, but Ireland, who is sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury, admits the players are all embracing the Italian's new approach.
"The change of manager was a shock to the system for everyone in the dressing room. We didn't really see it coming, but we are professionals and we have to get on with it," said Ireland, who has repeatedly snubbed Giovanni Trapattoni’s request to return to the international game with the Republic of Ireland.
"Football moves on very quickly. We have to train every day and prepare for games, so there is no time to dwell on these things.
"You just have to respect the decision and adjust to the new manager's ideas and get used to his ways. If you want to be part of things here, and be part of where we are going, then you just have to get on with things.
"I have already played under loads of managers here. They have come and gone and it is a shame. It could happen to anyone in football, but you have to put it behind you as quickly as possible."
Ireland has revealed Mancini has called on the players to play attractive football and to work on their concentration if they are to achieve their ambitions this season
"The manager has got everyone together and he is keen for the staff to bond as quickly as possible with the players," added Ireland. "He has also encouraged us to play football on the floor and only play it long as a last resort.
"The manager has stressed over and over since he arrived that we have to stay switched on and that concentration is vital."
Meanwhile, City defender Kolo Toure has admitted it will be tough to leave the club for next month's African Cup of Nations with City winning their first two games under Mancini.
Toure is set to miss most of January as he will be away representing Ivory Coast in Angola and the former Arsenal man is disappointed to miss a number of key games with City finding some good form in recent weeks.
"It is bad timing because we have just had two good results," Toure told the Daily Mirror."Perhaps the competition can be staged another time in future.”
