Mancini leaves US tour due to family illness

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has flown back to Europe during his team’s US tour because of a family illness.

Mancini left Baltimore to fly to Italy on Friday, the English Premier League team said. Mancini’s father lives in Italy.

“Clearly it’s a difficult time for the boss with him having to go back for family reasons,” said Brian Kidd, who will manage the team with David Platt in Mancini’s absence. “It’s all happened very suddenly.”

Manchester City completes its exhibition American tour on Saturday against Inter Milan. It’s next game is August 7 against Valencia in England.

Manchester City opens its Premier League season August 14 against Tottenham.