Mancini says ‘double contract’ with Manchester City ‘isn’t my problem’ at Italy press conference

Roberto Mancini appeared to acknowledge he had "a double contract" from his time managing Manchester City and told reporters at Italy’s news conference in Turkey before a Nations League match on Monday that the matter "isn't my problem", remarks coming after the club were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules.

Among the allegations facing Manchester City is an alleged failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The German magazine Der Spiegel published evidence in 2018 showing Mancini doubled his base salary of £1.45m for advising a club in Abu Dhabi. Mancini coached City to the 2011-12 Premier League title, the club's first such crown in a half century, and is now in charge of Italy.

Mancini also led City to their first trophies after Abu Dhabi’s ruling family bought the club in 2008 and was part of the side that won the FA Cup in 2011. His tenure at the club ended after he was fired days following a shock defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup final in 2013.

When asked about his contract at the press conference, Mancini said: "It’s not a problem that concerns me." He expanded on that line with a second remark: "Anyhow, it’s not something new, because every four or five years this comes up. Manchester City is not guilty and the fact of having a double contract isn’t my problem but theirs, probably."

Manchester City said on Friday that their case with the Premier League was "ongoing." The club has denied wrongdoing and its chair, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, restated that stance in a letter to fans on Saturday, saying: "The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began," he said.