Pearce: I was treated like a caretaker

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Pearce's two-year reign at the City helm was brought to an end by a brief telephone call from chief executive Alistair Mackintosh on Monday.

Pearce told the Manchester Evening News: "The previous manager (Kevin Keegan) had around £50million to spend and if the club is taken over the next manager may have £50million to spend, so in that sense I feel as though I have been a caretaker with no money to spend, getting the books balanced whilst keeping the club in the Premiership. But I do not regret taking the job."

He added: "Losing your job is all part of football management and I knew it would have to happen one day.

"I wasn't taken aback, shocked or angered by the board's decision. I am not naive or stupid.

"I felt we were going in the correct direction but needed some finance to drive the club forward.

"I feel City are not far away from becoming the top six side they want to be and nothing would give me greater pleasure than this time next year to see Richard Dunne climbing the steps at Wembley to lift a major domestic trophy or the side to qualify for Europe."

Pearce came agonisingly close to achieving that aim immediately after succeeding Keegan when an injury-time Robbie Fowler penalty miss against Middlesbrough cost City a place in the UEFA Cup.

Those first few months proved the high point of Pearce's reign and whoever replaces him will have the job of getting the best out of a succession of bad buys, notably misfiring strikers Bernardo Corradi and Georgios Samaras.