Bring on Man United, blasts boss Mancini
NEW Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says is ready to do battle with city rivals United – with the aim of bringing the Premier League title to Eastlands within 18 months.
Mancini won three successive titles with Inter Milan before resigning last summer, and is already comparing the City/United rivalry to that of his former club and fellow San Siro giants AC Milan.
And the Italian, who was unveiled at Eastlands yesterday as replacement for the sacked Mark Hughes, has success firmly in his sights.
“My squad usually play to win, always. My target is to arrive in the top four – but it’s my objective, my target. I think it’s possible. Next year we want to win the Premier League,” Mancini said. “I am proud to get the job because City is a good club with good players. Manchester is similar to Milan in its football passion.
He added: “City is a big club. I want to stay here for many, many years and I want to contribute to winning many trophies because City has great supporters and I hope we do a good job for them.
“My job is to work hard every day to improve the play, to improve the victories. This is all. I think I can do a good job because we have good players.”
Mancini also admitted he had been offered a friendly word of advice from former City boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson, on taking the job: “Sven called me yesterday, he is very happy for me, he said Manchester City is a fantastic club,” he smiled.
Mancini also had sympathy of departing boss Hughes, adding: “Sometimes these things happen. I feel sorry for Mark Hughes. But this is our job, the job of a manager.”