Tottenham legend Gary Lineker is convinced Manchester City will regret sacking Mark Hughes.

Lineker says victory over Chelsea proves nothing for Roberto Mancini's City.

He wrote in his column for the News of the World: "They have got to be in the same position at the end of the season for Mancini to keep his job.

"They were on the edge of the top four when Mark Hughes was sacked and if they had kept him they probably would have made it.

"Sparky had started to edge out the bad guys, the team was coming together and they had lost only one League game. It was ludicrous.

"The new manager came in, you had the usual spurt, then it petered out towards the end.

"They made their big mistake with the loss of Hughes. He is a very sensible head and commands a certain amount of respect with his presence.

"He wasn't taking any nonsense from a few of the players and was easing them out.

"He was getting the players he wanted. I don't think he would have gone into the summer and bought another six, seven, eight players.

"Mark would probably have spotted just a couple of areas where they needed to strengthen. That might have prevented some of the problems they now have with this huge squad.

"Yesterday's win against Chelsea - a very disappointing Chelsea, I have to say - certainly takes some of the pressure off Mancini."