Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and several of the players, including goalkeeper Joe Hart and David Silva, had reportedly threatened to quit the club if Roberto Mancini had continued to stay on as manager.

The Italian' reign at the Etihad was doomed when it became clear that Kompany and his teammates would leave if he was not replaced, as Mancini's abrasive style had upset several first team players before the sack, the Mirror reports.

According to the report, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, were compelled to act following complaints from Kompany, Hart and even the mild-mannered Silva, who had made it clear that playing under Mancini had become unbearable.

The report further said that Hart also voiced his anger at the way he was being treated by Mancini and indicated he was ready to quit after being lambasted for honest observations made after the Champions League defeat at Real Madrid last September, even though the player had the most clean record in the Premier League this term.

The report also mentioned that defender Kompany, who has earned kudos for being an inspirational leader, had also become estranged from Mancini to the point of questioning his future after he was blasted by the Italian for playing for Belgium in a World Cup qualifier on his return from injury.

According to the report, the trio is regarded as jewels in the crown by City's Abu Dhabi-based owners and has committed themselves to long-term contacts, for which the club strengthened its decision to sack Mancini, who, along with failing to meet the targets this term, had further alienated himself with the divisive nature of his management style.

Many other City players have also faced the brunt of Mancini's acid tongue with Samir Nasri being accused of not giving 100 per cent, while Micah Richards blasted for returning from six months out after knee surgery with a below-par display against Wigan.

City is hoping that Manuel Pellegrini can heal the wounds caused by the Italian's confrontational management style, with the Chilean expected to sign a two-year deal next month, the report added.