MANCHESTER CITY manager Alan Ball last night quit the club after just three games of the English League first division campaign. Ball met chairman Francis Lee to offer his resignation, which was accepted.
The club issued a statement wishing him well in the future and thanking him for his efforts during his 13 month reign at Maine Road.
Ball, with just nine victories under his belt last season, was unable to prevent City sliding out of the Premiership. This term, City kicked off with a 1-0 win over Ipswich, but have lost their other two games, 1-0 at Bolton and 2-1 at Stoke.
Ball's departure comes amid rumours that City's star midfielder Georgi Kinkladze is set to leave Maine Road for Celtic.
Former Blackpool, Portsmouth, Stoke, Exeter and Southampton manager Ball arrived at Maine Road in July 1995 in succession to Brian Horton. The appointment, made after Lee had taken over the reins from the late Peter Swales, did not gain the full support of the fans.
