Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit out at the North-West outfit for showing him a 'lack of respect' and calling time on his career.

The Italian coach was dismissed from his post a year to the day that he helped guide City to their first Premier League title in 44 years.

Reports regarding now-manager Manuel Pellegrini emerged while Mancini, who oversaw his side lose the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic, was still at the club.

"I lost the FA Cup, in football it can happen," Mancini told Corriere dello Sport. "It was a bad day for the whole team. But I never expected what happened.

"I never believed that the rumours about Pellegrini were true. Two months after my sacking, I still don't understand the reasons and the timing.

"I think I deserved more respect for what I've done at City in three-and-a-half years. The club didn't win a title for 40 years, I won a Premier League, an FA Cup, a Community Shield and, in the worst season, I lost a final and finished second in the Premier League."

The 48-year-old has been out of work since getting sacked in May.