Football: Roberto Mancini set to be sacked by Manchester City before summer tour

Roberto Mancini is set to be sacked as Manchester City manager with the Italian's tenure almost definitely ending before the club's summer tour to the United States.

                    Roberto Mancini is to leave Manchester City, with Manuel Pellegrini set to be named as his successor

With club pursuing Manuel Pellegrini, the Malaga coach as his replacement Mancini cut a troubled figure following Saturday's FA Cup final 1-0 defeat Wigan.

Then he railed at the club for not denying the stories regarding Pellegrini, an illustration of Mancini's brusque style that has not endeared him to City's players or some members of staff.

This and other factors have caused City's Abu Dhabi executive to lose confidence in Mancini, who was given a five-year contract last summer after leading the club to a first top-flight title in 44 years.

Mancini has struggled to build on that success, with his team exiting the Champions League in the group stages, losing their league title to their Manchester United and on Saturday losing to Wigan at Wembley

Picture: Football's weekend of shame

Fierce rioting erupted after Sunderland beat rivals Newcastle United three nil in the Tyne-Wear derby today. Supporters clashed with riot police, centre, as thousands of fans poured out of St James' Park and into Newcastle city centre, left. Fans were pictured with bloodied faces, right, amid the mayhem, which saw bricks, rocks and flash bangs thrown at officers. It follows shameful scenes inside Wembley Stadium yesterday, when Millwall supporters fought amongst themselves on the terraces as their side were defeated by Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final.