Where next for Manco?

By David Lee Wheatley

Roberto won't be short of offers

Manchester City finally put their beleaguered boss Roberto Mancini out of his misery by sacking him only 12 months after he took them to the Premier League pinnacle.

Having today left the Central London hotel that he’d been sharing with his players since just before Saturday’s FA Cup final, the Italian walks free from his City responsibilities with a massive pay-off in his back pocket and the promise of several job offers set to flood in over the coming days and weeks.

The reports of dressing room unrest at the Etihad and a lack of communication between Mancini and his players won’t put off potential suitors, with his CV outshining many other managers on the market.

Already newly-promoted Monaco, led by Claudio Ranieri, have been strongly-linked with an interest in replacing their experienced head coach with his younger compatriot. There’s also the possibility of a return to Inter, where current incumbent Andrea Stramaccioni has endured an awful first season in charge of the Nerazzuri.

As for staying in England, the Everton and Chelsea jobs are up for grabs; however it’s almost certain that Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge. Of course, Everton are unlikely to be able to offer Mancini the funds or wages that he’d find attractive and therefore I don’t expect to see him pitching up at Goodison Park anytime soon.

Looking further afield again, Real Madrid have reportedly approached PSG over the services of Carlo Ancelotti, an offer which was turned down immediately by the cash-rich owners of the new French league champions.

Despite failing in their attempts, it appears a clear signal that Real are resigned to losing José Mourinho this summer and are actively seeking a replacement as the current season draws to a close. Could Real view Mancini as a candidate for the job should Mourinho confirm his return to London?

There’s also the possibility of the departing City boss doing a job swap with Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini, but once again, the financial constraints at the Andalucian club could rule out a possible switch.

Meanwhile in the Bundesliga, it was announced today that Gelsenkirchen club Schalke have just handed caretaker manager Jens Keller a two-year deal after he salvaged their season by putting them on the brink of Champions League qualification, meaning that sought-after position is no longer an option.

Wherever Mancini ends up, he’ll take a hugely impressive record, but also plenty of baggage in the form of two painful sackings from Inter and Manchester City after he’d led both clubs to the domestic success they’d been previously starved of for so many years.

Once this is for sure, he won’t be out of work for long.

 

Twitter: @davewh1980