Source: Daily_Mail
Meet Mancini's team: Who's who in Manchester City's new boot room?
While the debate raged over Mark Hughes's sacking at Manchester City on Sunday, his replacement was already plotting his assault on the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]Roberto Mancini - 'Mancho' to his friends - gathered his most trusted footballing allies together at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester city centre. [LNB]The previous day, Mancini's scouts had watched Stoke - his team's Boxing Day opponents - lose 1-0 to Aston Villa. On Sunday night, over drinks, they discussed what they had seen. [LNB] Unveiling: Roberto Mancini, chief executive Garry Cook and Brian Kidd[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Are Manchester City right to replace Mark Hughes with Roberto Mancini? What do you make of the goings on at Manchester City? Were the ambitious club right to axe manager Mark Hughes? And is Roberto Mancini the right man to take the Eastlands hot seat? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Joining Mancini were trusted fitness coach Ivan Carminati and his former Inter Milan No 2, Fausto Salsano. There were others, too, but these two should form a key part of 'Team Mancini'. [LNB]The group discussed everything, from transfer targets through to an assessment of the players he is inheriting. They even speculated about the questions Mancini was likely to face at yesterday's press conference.[LNB] [LNB]Preparation is everything to Mancini and it is key to him that he is surrounded by those he can trust. 'Mancho is not at his most comfortable when he is on his own,' said an Italian source. [LNB]Mancho's Eastlands dream team?FAUSTO SALSANO [LNB]Playedwith Mancini at Sampdoria, where they won five major trophies. Salsanowas also assistant to Mancini at Fiorentina and Inter, where theycontinued their outstanding domestic success. [LNB]IVAN CARMINATI[LNB]Fitnesscoach, worked with Mancini at Inter Milan. Carminati also worked forEngland boss Eriksson so is no stranger to the Premier League. [LNB]MASSIMO BATTARA [LNB]Goalkeeping specialist coach who worked with Mancini at Inter Milan during three consecutive Serie A title triumphs. [LNB]DAVID PLATT [LNB]Former room and team- mate of Mancini at Sampdoria. The ex-England Under 21 coach would add knowledge of the domestic scene. [LNB]SINISA MIHAJLOVIC [LNB]Former team-mate who played at Inter before becoming assistant boss. Now Catania manager, could be tempted as defensive coach.[LNB]'He likes to be surrounded by those he trusts implicitly and it is certain that he will want these people in Manchester.[LNB] 'They will go everywhere together and do everything together. It is just the way that Mancho likes to work.' [LNB]Carminati is well-versed in English football. He was employed in a fitness role when Sven Goran Eriksson was England boss and is seen as one of the best in his field. [LNB]Salsano, meanwhile, met and played with Mancini at Sampdoria. The 47-year-old was by Mancini's side during his successful years at Inter and is expected to be a hugely influential figure at Eastlands.[LNB] Others who Mancini may bring in include former team-mate David Platt, temperamental Catania coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and former Inter goalkeeping coach Massimo Battara. [LNB]Mancini has already been presented with one coach in the shape of Brian Kidd. Promoted by City in order to give the new set-up a local flavour, it remains to be seen how long Kidd remains as assistant manager.[LNB] The man who would be king: I want top four this season and the title next, says Manchester City boss Roberto ManciniThe Italian Jobs: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini follows Serie A's finest into a Premier League hotseat... but how did the others fare?Roberto Mancini Sheiks on it: New Manchester City boss met billionaire Arab owner weeks before Mark Hughes was sackedVIDEO: Manchester City chief Garry Cook goes on defensive at Roberto Mancini's unveiling as Mark Hughes' successorVIDEO: Roberto Mancini's first press conference as Manchester City managerFurious Craig Bellamy threatens to follow Mark Hughes out of Manchester City - putting Tottenham on alert [LNB]
