The Mixed Tape

Goal.com UK sources inside Manchester City have revealed the players were rushed into the Eastlands changing room for a team meeting to announce the departure of Mark Hughes.

Reports have been circulating on Saturday that the Welshman will be sacked, and the players were called for an emergency meeting following the 4-3 win over Sunderland.

Former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini, whose son Filippo played for the City youth side, is reported to be lined up as Hughes' successor.

The club announced a statement will be released on Saturday at 19.30 but the staff and players were prepped in the changing room before an announcement was made.

The City boss failed to turn up to the post-match news conference ahead of a statement from the club, seemingly sealing his fate.

Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport report that Mancini will sign a three-and-a-half year deal worth €4m (£3.5m) a season.

The last time a dramatic last-minute meeting was called was minutes before Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired as City boss in April 2008.

At the final whistle Hughes made his way into the center circle of the pitch and waved to the stands, a gesture translated by many as a goodbye message.

Hughes took over from Eriksson in the summer of 2008 but his reign as Manchester City boss has been ruled by dealings off the pitch more than those on it. He was boss when the Abu Dhabi United investment group took over the club.

Suddenly his pockets were filled with millions as City became the world's richest club and he made large dents in the finances with the signings of Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott.

But despite the string of Premier League stars coming in, his side has struggled this season, drawing more games than any other team this season.