Pearce was in charge of 97 games at Manchester City

 

Manchester City have sacked boss Stuart Pearce after two years in charge.

The 45-year-old, who is also England Under 21 coach, has had his contract terminated with immediate effect a day after the end of the season.

 

Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the club's website: "The board of directors would like to thank Stuart for his hard work and service."

 

Pearce took over from Kevin Keegan as City manager but his side struggled to 14th in the Premiership this season.

 

The former England captain took the helm at City after a successful spell as caretaker boss during which he guided the club to within a goal of qualifying for the Uefa Cup.

 

And after a good start to his first full season in charge he was touted as a potential replacement for then England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

 

But things soon went downhill and after a season in which City had climbed as high as fourth during the opening weeks of the campaign, they tumbled down the table to finish 15th.

 

And there was little improvement this term as City struggled in the bottom-half of the Premiership and scored just 10 goals at home all season, the worst record in the history of top-flight football.

 

There have been question marks over discipline within the squad after Ben Thatcher's reckless challenge on Pedro Mendes in August earned an eight-match ban.

 

And more recently fellow full-back Michael Ball was suspended for three games for a stamp on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

In addition, midfielder Joey Barton, who had been critical of Pearce's signings, was suspended by the club after a training ground bust-up with Ousmane Dabo which left the French midfielder unconscious.

 

And after City's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on the final day of the season, the club's sixth match without a win, Pearce admitted his future at the club was shrouded in doubt with speculation growing over a potential Thai-based takeover.

 

Asked whether a takeover could cost him his job, Pearce said: "Whether it is me or not is out of my hands.

 

"I hope it's me, I've done a reasonable job but I know our shortcomings and plan to address them this summer.

 

"If it isn't me, I'll move on and manage elsewhere and prove myself elsewhere."

 

Pearce took charge of 97 games at City, with 34 wins, 43 losses and 20 draws.

 

He took over as manager of England's Under-21 team in February and will be in charge for the Under-21 European Championship from 10 June.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6655007.stm

Van Gaal would be my choice... or Sven Goran Ericson

he was the best they ever had

Get Sven.

 

He's a great manager, and will take you places...

oh yes he is great

Managed to get the England team together to beat a full-strength German squad 5-1