Mark Hughes was sacked as manager of Manchester City on Saturday and replaced by former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, the English Premier League side announced. City have lost just twice in the league this season and Hughes departed despite Saturday's 4-3 win in the league at home to Sunderland, a victory which lifted them into sixth place in the table, with a League Cup semi-final against Manchester United on the horizon. But their record under former Manchester United striker Hughes was clearly not good enough for the club's billionaire Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour, who has spent over 200 million pounds on new players since the Welsh boss's arrival 18 months ago. Hughes's cause was not helped by Wednesday's 3-0 loss away to Tottenham, who are also pushing to break into the Premier League's top four this season. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, explaining Hughes's departure, said in a statement: 'A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. 'Sheikh Mansour and the board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change. 'This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career.' Mubarak added: 'Manchester City Football Club can confirm the appointment, with immediate effect on a permanent contract, of Roberto Mancini and are also pleased to announce that Brian Kidd will join Roberto as assistant manager.' Mancini was sacked as Inter Milan manager 18 months ago despite guiding the club to three straight Serie A titles, the former Italy striker paying the price for the club's failure to make an impact upon the Champions League. 'Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships,' Mubarak said. 'His experience and track record speak for themselves. What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City's potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. 'My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club.' Hughes appeared to know his fate well before Saturday's final whistle and come the finish shook the hands of his players and waved to all corners of the ground in what seemed a clear farewell gesture. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who played alongside Hughes at United, was disgusted by the treatment handed out to his old team-mate. 'It is quite unbelievable,' Bruce, speaking before Hughes's sacking was confirmed, told Sky Sports. 'You spend about seven years studying to get your various UEFA badges, so you can apply for a pro-licence. 'In the end you just think, what is the point? You have to be given time. It is as simple as that.' Kidd, a striker who played for both Manchester United and Manchester City, is best known as a coach for his role as Alex Ferguson's deputy at Old Trafford before a brief stint as manager of Blackburn Rovers. 