Galatasaray have announced that they have parted company with their manager Roberto Mancini with immediate effect. The Italian came to the club only a few months ago, but his time at the club has been met with almost no improvement in form. Despite taking the club to the Champions League last 16 stage, Mancini failed to improve the league form. As a result, Galatasaray finished in a disappointing second place – almost 10 points behind table leaders Fenerbahce. This was after winning the title last season. Hence, Galatasaray have decided to go for a new manager in the hope of improving the form.

The club have also agreed to the release of Didier Drogba, whose contract expires in a few weeks. Mancini came to Galatasaray after having been out of work for the last few months following his departure from Manchester City. Even though he failed to consistently make City as a title challenger, he was responsible for winning the first league title of the club. He has been in charge of the team only for eight months, but Mancini stated that he is sad to leave them. He says that the fantastic supporters he has seen rivals none.

Despite the poor league form, Galatasaray won the Turkish Cup last season.

“In the past eight months, despite enduring a challenging start, I have done my job pushed by passion and by hunger which has resulted in the team qualifying for the Champions League, lifting the Turkish Cup and finishing second in the league. It’s with sadness that I leave Istanbul and the club’s fantastic supporters,” said the manager. “Our relationship with the coach Roberto Mancini and his contract of employment, which was signed on 1 October, 2013, has been terminated by mutual agreement,” said the club in a statement after announcing the manager’s exit.