Former Man City coach ROBERTO MANCINI Sunday used the pages of the Manchester Evening News to thank City fans for their support during his three-year reign at the Etihad, according to Tom Brooks-Pollock of the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS. Mancini -- who has not spoken to the media in England or back home "since his bombshell sacking this week" -- broke his silence with a full-page advert to acknowledge "three unforgettable years." Maintaining "his excellent rapport with fans right to the end," Mancini tells them, "You will always be in my heart" -- before signing off with "ciao." The MEN staff was "sworn to secrecy about the full-page advert -- thought to be an unprecedented gesture by an axed football boss" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 5/18).
FERGUSON SURPRISED: The AP reported, retired ManU Manager Alex Ferguson said Friday that it is "quite amazing" that Mancini was fired. Ferguson: "He has won the FA Cup (in 2011), been in the final, second in the league (both this season) and won the league -- and it's not good enough? I was surprised. But actually, no. You can't say you are surprised, not with some owners today" (AP, 5/18).
