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| Manuel Pellegrini could be replaced by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City |
MANUEL PELLEGRINI has dismissed suggestions that the intense speculation over his future will de-rail Manchester City’s title bid.
And Pellegrini insists he is relaxed about the rumours that Pep Guardiola has been lined up to replace him in the summer.
Former Barcelona coach Guardiola has confirmed he is leaving Bayern Munich at the end of his contract and the football world expects him to move to the Etihad Stadium, where he has strong links with City chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who both worked with him at Barcelona.
With City officials not dampening down the speculation, it has been suggested the players could view Pellegrini as a ‘lame duck’ manager and undermine their performances.
But Pellegrini says all he and his players are focussing on is the present and putting City’s title bid back on track. Their defeat at Arsenal on Monday was their fifth in their first 17 games and no team has won the Premier League after losing so many in the first half of the season.
“No, the speculation does not effect my players because they know exactly the way I think,” he said. “I don’t have any worries about my future. I don’t know the word pressure or afraid.
“In this line of work you will never know the future, if you win or lose. It’s never your decision so you never know. Look at Chelsea - three months ago nobody could have known this [Jose Mourinho’s departure] would happen.
“So you don’t think about that. You must work, try to work well, win titles and win games. “
Pellegrini doesn’t have a problem with Guardiola announcing his decision mid-season, pointing out that the speculation linking the Spaniard with the City job has been around for over a year and it is part and parcel of being manager of a top club.
He added: “The speculation started last year, sometimes it’s true, sometimes it’s not true. But it’s part of the profession. You can read and hear different things but for me it’s important to think about your work, trying to win.
“I don’t remember doing that [announcing he was leaving mid-seaosn] but it doesn’t matter. Anyone can manage in the way their club or themselves think is the best way to do it.
“If you review the most important teams in Europe, all of them have had a moment where the manager is going to be sacked. Benitez, Van Gaal…everyone. It’s linked to the big teams.”
“I don’t know if it is wrong or not because I’m not the person who must decide if this is wrong or not. I’m telling you what happens at every big club in every country in every part of the world.”
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| Skipper Vincent Kompany will be available for the Boxing Day clash against Sunderland |
And the Chilean will not seek clarification on his future from City’s Abu Dhabi owners because he doesn't want any distractions and it is up to them to tell him.
“In the right moment I will know but at this moment I’m not thinking about my future because if I start talking with the owners or the directors about what happens then I am not doing what I am telling you [my job].
“I’m thinking about winning the games, to try to win the four competitions we are still involved in.”
The good news for Pellegrini is that skipper Vincent Kompany is back for the Boxing Day home clash with Sunderland after missing the last eight games with his troublesome calf problem. Kompany has started only four of City’s last 20 matches in all competitions.
Apart from long-term casualty Samir Nasri, City have a fully-fit squad because Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando are also fit again.
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