Roberto Mancini has revealed that he is still hurt by his sacking from Manchester City and doesn't understand why he was removed from his position.

City fired Mancini from his managerial post in May, after the Italian had guided the Citizens to a first-ever Premier League title and an FA Cup during his near four-year stint at the Etihad.

Mancini, who finished second in the league and runner-up in the FA Cup in his final year, insists that he did not expect to part ways with City whatsoever.

"I was hurt," ESPN quotes him as saying. "I thought I deserved more respect for what I did for City. My staff and I did an extraordinary job in three and a half years.

"The club hadn't won a title for more than 40 years. I won a league, an FA Cup, a charity shield and in the worst year, the last one, I lost a final and finished second.

"The numbers are clear. I still don't have a motivation for this sacking. Anyway, I'm proud of my work."

Mancini joined has previously managed Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan.