How a defending champion's pursuit of glory ended in a season of heartbreak
In short: Entering the 2012–13 season as Premier League champions, Manchester City faced an uphill battle. From a daunting Champions League 'group of death' to a shock FA Cup final defeat, the campaign was a rollercoaster of high stakes and missed opportunities that ultimately cost the manager his job.
For Manchester City, the 2012–13 campaign was defined by the heavy shadow of their previous success. Having clinched their first Premier League title in a dramatic fashion the year before, they entered the season as defending champions. However, the dominance of the previous year proved difficult to replicate. In the Premier League, they finished 11 points behind their local rivals, Manchester United, failing to defend their crown.
The club's European ambitions also met a harsh reality. Drawn into a formidable UEFA Champions League group alongside Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Ajax—a grouping quickly dubbed the 'group of death'—City struggled to find their footing. They finished at the bottom of the group without a single win, recording three draws and three defeats, which prevented them from advancing to either the knockout stages or the Europa League.
Domestic cup competitions offered a glimmer of hope that ultimately turned to disappointment. After defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on 14 April 2013, City reached their tenth final. However, on 11 May, they suffered a shock 1–0 defeat to Wigan Athletic, a relegated side, following a late goal by Ben Watson. The match was also marked by a red card for Pablo Zabaleta, who became only the third player ever to be dismissed in an FA Cup final.
The season's lack of silverware—aside from the Community Shield won earlier—led to significant upheaval. On 13 May 2013, exactly one year after their Premier League triumph, manager Roberto Mancini was sacked. The club stated he had failed to meet targets, despite successfully securing Champions League qualification for the following season. Assistant Brian Kidd remained to oversee the conclusion of the campaign.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2012–13 Manchester City F.C. season
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-2012-13-manchester-city-f-c-season.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
