Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini Expresses Sympathy for 'Top' Fabio Capello

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini feels "very sorry" for Fabio Capello and concedes England have lost "a top manager".

Capello ended his four year tenure with the national side on Wednesday when his lengthy meeting with the Football Association's chairman, David Bernstein, ended with the Italian's resignation.

Mancini believes under Capello's stewardship, England "had a big chance" to win the European Championships in Poland in the Ukraine in June, and although the Manchester City manager is not privy to reason's behind his compatriot's hasty departure from the role, he suggests England are worse off without the Capello.

"I don't know the reasons but I can say the national team has lost a top manager," The Manchester City boss told Sky Sports News.

"I think under Fabio Capello England had a big chance to win the European Championships. I respect his decision and I am very sorry for him."

Capello left his position following his opposition to the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, while he has a pending charge of allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, during Chelsea's defeat at Loftus Road in October.

Harry Redknapp has been installed as the bookies favourite and on Friday he acknowledged it was flattering to be considered as a worthy contender to succeed Capello, even though he suggested the position and its pressures made it a complicate one.