City caretaker Brian Kidd, shocked at Roberto Mancini's sacking

Caretaker Manchester City manager Brian Kidd said Roberto Mancini's sacking has rocked the club, even as they secured a second-place finish in the English Premier League.

City overcame their FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic by beating relegated Reading 2-0 at Madejski Stadium to guarantee they end the season second only to local rivals Manchester United.

Goals from Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko were enough to finish the hosts as City began life without Mancini with a win. But Kidd, Manchester's assistant manager, said the Italian's departure had been tough to take.

"I got to be honest, if you were to ask me after what has gone in the last 48 hours, it has all come as a shock to the staff," Kidd said. "I would have just taken the result tonight. If you had said before the game we would get three points to claim second place I would have accepted that the way the last 48 hours have gone.

"It is not about me. I have just come in and been asked to take the team for these two games. I am a Manchester lad and how can I say no? We are not greedy, but we don't have to qualify for the Champions League now and that is the least we should have done this season."

Mancini, who last year led the club to their first top-flight title in 44 years, was sacked on Monday after losing to Wigan, who have been relegated, in the FA Cup final at Wembley.