<P> After relegation , the club underwent off - the - field upheaval , with new chairman David Bernstein introducing greater fiscal discipline . City were promoted at the first attempt , achieved in dramatic fashion in a play - off against Gillingham . A second successive promotion saw City return to the top division , but this proved to have been a step too far for the recovering club , and in 2001 City were relegated once more . Kevin Keegan arrived as the new manager in the close season , bringing an immediate return to the top division as the club won the 2001 -- 02 Division One championship , breaking club records for the number of points gained and goals scored in a season in the process . The 2002 -- 03 season was the last at Maine Road , and included a 3 -- 1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United , ending a run of 13 years without a derby win . City also qualified for European competition for the first time in 25 years . In the 2003 close season the club moved to the new City of Manchester Stadium . The first four seasons at the stadium all resulted in mid-table finishes . Former England manager Sven - Göran Eriksson became the club 's first manager from overseas when appointed in 2007 . After a bright start performances faded in the second half of the season , and Eriksson was sacked in June 2008 . Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes two days later on 4 June 2008 . </P>
<P> After relegation , the club underwent off - the - field upheaval , with new chairman David Bernstein introducing greater fiscal discipline . City were promoted at the first attempt , achieved in dramatic fashion in a play - off against Gillingham . A second successive promotion saw City return to the top division , but this proved to have been a step too far for the recovering club , and in 2001 City were relegated once more . Kevin Keegan arrived as the new manager in the close season , bringing an immediate return to the top division as the club won the 2001 -- 02 Division One championship , breaking club records for the number of points gained and goals scored in a season in the process . The 2002 -- 03 season was the last at Maine Road , and included a 3 -- 1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United , ending a run of 13 years without a derby win . City also qualified for European competition for the first time in 25 years . In the 2003 close season the club moved to the new City of Manchester Stadium . The first four seasons at the stadium all resulted in mid-table finishes . Former England manager Sven - Göran Eriksson became the club 's first manager from overseas when appointed in 2007 . After a bright start performances faded in the second half of the season , and Eriksson was sacked in June 2008 . Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes two days later on 4 June 2008 . </P>
when was the last time man city were relegated
when was the last time man city were relegated
2001
2001