CAN ROBERTO MANCINI AND HIS MANCHESTER CITY MEN TOPPLE SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S EMPIRE?
It was as Mancini declared, a ‘crazy end to a crazy season’, and Martin Tyler couldn’t contain his excitement in the Sky commentary box, proclaiming: “I swear you will never see anything like this again. Don’t watch it, drink it in!”
City wrote themselves into the history books in the process, winning their first league title in 44 years, and it was hard not to think of the wider context of this extraordinary triumph.
With the dust just about settled, the media have been bandying words around such as dynasty, supremacy and power shift to describe where City are heading in and the success they could achieve in the years to come.
The fans continued to bask in the warm afterglow of the club’s finest hour during the title parade through the streets of Manchester on Monday evening.
It was clear how much the events of 24 hours earlier had meant to them, and there was a distinct feeling in the air that the ‘noisy neighbours’ are pounding on the door outside Old Trafford, refusing to be moved.
Vincent Kompany spoke movingly in his post-match interview with Sky Sports about what the first title win signified.
He said: “We have been the best this season. I never stopped believing.
“When Edin scored that goal, it reminded me about other times in the season when we scored a last minute goal against Tottenham and when we came back from two goals down against Sunderland.
“We are the champions and we have dreamed of this moment since we were kids for all our lives when we had no money. It is unbelievable.”
This was the stuff that dreams are made of, and the title victory had been a culmination of hard work both on and off the pitch.
The main aim in the long-run will be to knock United off their perch, which will be a tall order as they have lifted the Barclays Premier League trophy 13 times, and Mancini hasn’t been around like Sir Alex Ferguson to build and dismantle teams in the way his counterpart has done over the past 25 years.
United as we all know, won’t just fade away; in fact they are already lining up summer transfer targets.
Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund has expressed an interest in joining the Red Devils, and could bolster United’s firepower as he has scored 21 goals in 49 Bundesliga matches.
City also have a battle on their hands to beat their adversaries to the signature of one of Europe’s hottest properties- Eden Hazard.
City it would appear, on the surface of things, don’t need a major overhaul of their squad- Sergio Aguero bagged 23 of his side’s 93 league goals this season, they have strength in depth in all areas and can hurt teams.
Yet not everything’s perfect. Although Mancini has managed to handle his players well, it will take time to iron out some of the problems that have appeared in his squad.
Carlos Tevez, went off to hone in on his golf swing for his six months, and the wayward Italian forward Mario Balotelli is seen as many as the ‘enfant terrible’.
While it is arguably too early to talk about a dynasty at the Etihad, Mancini and his men look a force to be reckoned with and shouldn’t be sneered at anymore by the red half of Manchester.
Kidd tired of 'cheap shots' from Manchester City critics
Roberto Mancini's assistant says that those who have recently criticised the club have not witnessed the 'camaraderie' amongst the squad on matchdays or on the training pitch
Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd has hit out at the club's critics, saying that he cannot believe some of the recent "cheap shots" in the media.
The Premier League champions have had a series of widely-reported off-field distractions this season, such as Carlos Tevez's self-imposed exile and the antics of Mario Balotelli.
But Kidd believes that it is about time that the media stopped focusing on such matters, insisting that he has faith in his players.
"I have got great belief and great trust in this squad. And I couldn't believe it when the critics came out about the spirit and camaraderie or whatever,” he told the Daily Star Sunday.
"I have been brought up with the view that whatever is going on in your house stays there. So where I was born and bred you are going to turn around and say, 'Hey, shut up, I will deal with it in my household'.
"Unless you are working every minute of every day with these players then you can't give an opinion.”
The former Manchester United No.2 also underlined the team spirit at the club, as highlighted by their title victory this season.
"People have been constantly taking cheap shots at us," he fumed.
"The people who question the spirit here are outsiders. They just don't know. If you see them supporting one another on matchdays and in training, nobody would be questioning the camaraderie.
"But if there was any doubt you only had to see it against QPR [the 3-2 win to clinch the title] to answer that."
Kidd went on to say that other clubs are jealous of the recent investment at the Etihad Stadium, admitting that for any side to be successful in the modern game they need to spend big.
"Some people, too, are unhappy about the money that's been spent. But I'm sad to say that modern football is about money," he added.
"What Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon [Al-Mubarak] have done is fast-tracked this club."
Manchester road to be painted blue in honour of City's Premier League win
Manchester City Council is so proud of Roberto Mancini's side winning the Premier League title it has decided to memorialise the historic occasion by painting part of the city blue.
City’s league victory is their first in 44 years and now the council has made sure it won't be forgotten.
Council workers plan to lay a blue tarmac pathway on a road that is adequately named Blue Moon Way in the Moss Side area of the city.
The blue coloured path will lie opposite a residential development situated opposite the Blues’ redeveloped former Maine Road home.
Man City legend Mike Summerbee said of the idea: 'Maine Road remains a tremendously special part of the city to all Manchester City fans.
'You can feel the emotion whenever you drive to that part of the city and I think this is a wonderful idea to help recognise the site of the old stadium.
'I’m sure it will help supporters to relive their memories of the amazing times we had at Maine Road.'
The Citizens won the title following an exciting 3-2 win over QPR on the last day of the league.
City fan Wayne Hale, who is the Prospect GB Limited contracts manager, added: 'I’ve been a Blue since I was a boy and standing on Blue Moon Way brings back cherished memories for me – I can see the alleyways I used to cut through to Maine Road.
'This blue-coloured road is a way of marking the heritage of the area and recognising that the Maine Road stadium will never be forgotten.
'A lot of people come here and feel nostalgic about the as they remember the old days.
'I think the blue road will become a tourist attraction in its own right - especially after winning the title.'
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Keepin' it Real: Aguero emerges as a £50m target for Mourinho
The Manchester City hero has been coveted by the La Liga champions for some time but former club Atletico didn't want to sell to their rivals
Manchester City hero Sergio Aguero is a £50million target for Real Madrid.
It was the Argentinian’s last gasp goal that clinched the Premier League title for City in the 3-2 win over QPR.
And Real boss Jose Mourinho now wants to bring him to the Bernabeu. Aguero was signed for £35 million a year ago from Atletico Madrid.
He had been coveted by Real for some time – but Atletico were reluctant to deal directly with their bitter rivals from across the city.
It would certainly be easier to sign him from City.
City manager Roberto Mancini wants to bolster rather than weaken his squad but if Aguero wanted to return to Spain it might prove to be difficult to hang on to the front man.
Mancini has Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as possible close season signings and their arrival would help balance the loss of Aguero if Real are successful with their mega-bid.
Barry thrilled by season success
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has spoken of his delight after completing what he describes as the best season of his career.
Barry played a key role in helping City clinch their first top-flight title since 1968 with their last day victory over Queens' Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium.
His week was then capped off by his inclusion in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012 and success in Poland and Ukraine with his country this summer would then be the icing on the cake for a great year for the former Aston Villa man.
The 31-year-old might not be everyone's favourite player, but he is certainly valued by his manager Roberto Mancini, who selected him for 34 of City's 38 games in the Premier League this term, with a further 12 appearances racked up in other competitions.
The 31-year-old told The Sun on Sunday: "It's definitely been my best season ever. The amount of games I've managed to get, considering the squad we've got, has been brilliant.
"I've been happy with my level of performance and I'm delighted with the way it's gone. Getting in Teams of the Year and winning individual awards has never bothered me.
"What is important is that fans and team-mates have spoken highly of me. And the manager too - and he's the one that really matters - so that's encouraging.
"This is the perfect club for me. The formation the manager likes to play, with me as one of two holding midfielders, suits me - even though I only scored one goal this season.
"I feel I can play on until my mid-30s. Hopefully, that will be at City."
Barry joined City, who were then a mid-table side, in 2009 from Villa for £12m after turning down the chance of a possible move to Champions League contenders Liverpool.
Chelsea take a step closer to signing highly-rated Lille forward Eden Hazard
Even as the club where building up to the Champions League final, Chelsea were preparing for next season as they moved closer to securing a deal for Eden Hazard.
It is understood that they made a breakthrough in negotiations on Friday that could lead to Chelsea signing the highly-rated Belgian forward in a 35 million euro (£28.3 million) deal from Lille.
Both Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in signing the player but have been put off by the exorbitant demands being made by Hazard’s representatives.
Well-placed sources have revealed that he is asking for wages of £4.6million net, which means an annual outlay of about £9 million for a club. That is a weekly salary of roughly £170,000.
While Hazard is one of the most talented young players in Europe, both City and United are unwilling to pay such a huge salary for a 21 year-old who has only played in the French league.
While City could afford it, they no longer feel they are in the position of needing to offer disproportionately large contracts to persuade players to sign.
There are also issues surrounding the commission being demand by agents involved in the deal. One source said that it could be as much as £6 million, another factor that would put off City and United.
With the player’s unpredictable public statements, both camps are wary about being played off against each other.
Chelsea, however, are prepared to meet some of Hazard’s demands. They are keen to sign an attacking playmaker, having missed out on Luka Modric last summer, and signing a player like Hazard would be a statement of intent ahead of next season.
Despite this season’s European success, Chelsea are committed to rebuilding the team, bringing in younger, more technically expansive players.
While Hazard would be expensive, it would represent a coup for the West London club, as almost every major European side would want him in their squad.
According to reports in France, his representatives were back in London on Saturday to continue negotiations.
Hazard is the creative hub of a Lille team that won the French title last year, a highly-gifted and versatile forward who can play out wide, as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker.
He was named player of the year in the French league for the second season running after a season in which he scored 17 goals in 37 league games. He made his debut for Belgium when he was 17 and has won 26 caps.
If Hazard did sign, it could have repercussions on other potential deals. Chelsea would then be unlikely to go in for Modric again, especially as Tottenham maintain they do not want to sell, especially to an English rival.
Real Madrid are the only club that might be able to put together the kind of bid to tempt Tottenham.
Manchester City ask for Premier League-winning ball back
The ball went missing after a pitch invasion by fans following Sergio Aguero's last minute goal Continue reading the main story
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Premier League champions Manchester City had to ask for their title-winning ball back after a teenager stole it.
The 17-year-old grabbed the ball during the pitch invasion by fans after City's victory against QPR at Eastland, last Sunday.
After examining CCTV footage, the club contacted Greater Manchester Police, who arrested the youth.
He was later de-arrested after the club opted not to press charges on condition he gave the ball back.
The win, which came after a last-ditch winner by striker Sergio Aguero, handed Manchester City a 3-2 win and their first league title in 44 years.
Fans streamed onto the pitch following the final whistle to congratulate players and to celebrate the victory.
After realising the ball was missing and studying CCTV footage of the pitch invasion, officials from the club contacted police on Thursday to report the theft.
A police spokesman said a youth was arrested on Friday but was de-arrested shortly after.
"It was decided the most appropriate course of action was to use restorative justice, so the boy was taken to the Etihad Stadium where he met with security staff and resolved the matter," he said.
Bitter Evra again
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has questioned the motives of Carlos Tevez after he mocked his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Evra doesn't understand the Argentine's actions which saw him hold aloft a placard which read 'RIP Fergie' during Manchester City's open top bus parade with the Premier League trophy last week.
The City striker has refused to apologise for the incident even though his club have since issued a statement expressing their regret at the whole affair, which they describe as a ''significant error of judgement.'
Evra was puzzled by Tevez's conduct as he didn't think the former United favourite had any reason to be against Ferguson, and he is certainly the sign will have disappointed him.
The Frenchman international told The Sun on Sunday: "I was very surprised by Tevez's attitude against Sir Alex Ferguson. I'm not sure how the manager feels about it but I'm sure he won't be impressed. "
It's disrespectful.
Tevez spent two years at this club and was treated extremely well by the manager so I don't really understand his reaction or the truth about the situation.
"The poster was in very bad taste, no one from Manchester United appreciated it. Tevez is an adult, he plays for another club and is responsible for his own actions. "
It's a shame because he was always respected at Manchester United and remained in contact with some of the players.
But I have no idea what will happen now."
The excessive wage demands of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, 28, could put off even the likes of big-spending Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City.Daily Mail
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, 24, is thought to be considering his future with the new Premier League champions after failing to win a place in England's Euro 2012 squad. Daily Mirror
Manchester City are rumoured to be investigating a £28m release clause in the contract of Athletic Bilbao's 27-year-old striker Fernando Llorente, who has scored 29 goals in 51 appearances this term.Metro
Le Havre's 16-year-old prodigy Jules Olivier Ntcham, who was thought to have signed a pre-contract deal with Manchester City, has now apparently come to an agreement with Inter Milan instead. Footy Latest
OTHER BOLLOX
Big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are prepared to offer Arsenal's 28-year-old striker Robin van Persie £300,000 a week to play for them. Sunday Mirror
Jose Mourinho wants to raid his former club to bring Chelsea's Ramires, 25, to his Real Madrid team. Sunday Express
Alex Ferguson has sealed a £4m deal for Crewe's England Under-18 international Nick Powell as he turns to young talent to secure Manchester United's future. Mail on Sunday
Marouane Chamakh, 28, and Nicklas Bendtner, 24, are two of 10 players who might leave Arsenal this summer as Arsene Wenger revamps his squad. Caught Offside
Manchester United have had a £9.7m bid rejected by Udinese for Ghana international midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, 23. Ghana Web
Real Madrid are interested in summer deals for midfielders Luka Modric, 26, and Ramires, 25, from Tottenham and Chelsea respectively. Metro
Liverpool face the prospect of losing Luis Suarez and Martin Skrtel as the club's American owners cut costs. Sunday Mirror
Andre Villas-Boas will be offered the job of succeeding sacked Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool cut short their interview process. Sunday Express
Chelsea could be ready to make a shock move to tempt Harry Redknapp to take over at Stamford Bridge. Mail on Sunday
Former England manager Fabio Capello has ruled himself out of the top job at Chelsea. Sunday Express
Wayne Rooney carried an injury during the closing weeks of the season and the England management believe he would benefit from two weeks' rest. the Observer
Steve Kean is to be removed from the position as Blackburn manager but will stay at the club in a different role and keep his current salary. Mail on Sunday
Aston Villa managerial target Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells his current club Molde that he wants to join the Premier League side. Birmingham Mail
West Brom are set to make a move for Birmingham boss Chris Hughton this week as he is their number one target to replace former manager Roy Hodgson. Sun on Sunday
Manchester United target Kevin Strootman, PSV's 22-year-old midfielder, is set for talks with AC Milan. talkShit
Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett says that Barcelona would have to pay "a lot more" than the £36m being quoted to sign the 22-year-old. Daily Telegraph
QPR are likely to bid for West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, 32, if the Hammers fail to secure their return to the Premier League in Saturday's Championship play-off final. Daily Mirror
Everton are believed to be among the clubs interested in signing Norwich striker Grant Holt, 31, who dropped a bombshell by submitting a transfer request on Friday. Daily Telegraph
Ryan Bertrand is in line for an amazing Champions League debut in midfield for Chelsea in tonight's Munich final. the Sun
Liverpool have approached former manager Rafael Benitez after Brendan Rodgers rejected the chance to talk with the Anfield club about their managerial vacancy. Daily Mirror
Andre Villas-Boas will hold talks with Liverpool next week, with the club having Pep Guardiola and Fabio Capello on their wish list but not receiving encouragement from that pair. the Guardian
Meanwhile the Reds are set to offer striker Luis Suarez a 25% pay increase in an attempt to stop him seeking a move. the Sun
