Mansour welcomes Mancini

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, received officials of his triumphant Manchester City Football Club yesterday, including coach Roberto Mancini who highlighted the winning owner's support at a crucial juncture.

Manchester City on Sunday won the Premier League title a with a dramatic last-gasp effort that helped them finish ahead of reigning champions and city neighbours Manchester United on goal-difference. It was their first title for 44 years.

Mancini, the Italian who took over as manager two years ago, said the moral support given by Shaikh Mansour when the club's performances dropped was crucial.

Shaikh Mansour received Mancini, along with other club officials including John MacBeath, acting chief executive, Brian Marwood, the chief football operations officer, in the presence of Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Chairman of Manchester City.

Shaikh Mansour praised the historic achievement of Manchester City in winning the title and wished the club more success in the future.

He praised the important role played by the football club's executives, coaching staff and players in the triumph.

Shaikh Mansour said he was always confident City would be successful.

On Tuesday, Al Mubarak said Shaikh Mansour "really deserved" the success for the commitment he has given to the club.

"Shaikh Mansour has not missed a single minute of football from this club this season, he has watched every Premiership game, every [FA] Cup game, every Champions League game," Al Mubarak told MCFC TV.

— With inputs from WAM