Job talk bemuses Mancini
The Italian swore in front of reporters and TV cameras at his latest press conference when told Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is the latest name to be linked with his job.
Mancini is under scrutiny with the champions 12 points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race and seemingly out of contention with just 12 games remaining.
Only last week he vigorously defended his record and dismissed suggestions he could be sacked, but that has not prevented reports Pellegrini is being lined up as his successor.
These rumours were put to Mancini in the first question as he met media to preview tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea and his response indicated his weariness.
After a shrug, but then a smile, the 48-year-old said: “Fucking hell!”
After a brief pause and a laugh, he gave a more thorough response.
The Italian said: “I cannot continue to answer about this every week.
“We have another two months. In two months you will know if this can happen but I can’t continue with this.
“I don’t understand this — why would Manchester City change their manager? For what reasons?”
In a separate interview Mancini revealed his frustrations at the club’s failure to sign the players he wanted last summer.
The champions were linked big names such as Robin van Persie, Javi Martinez, Eden Hazard and Daniele di Rossi but instead brought in Jack Rodwell, Matija Nastasic, Maicon, Scott Sinclair and Javi Garcia to mixed success.
With City’s title hopes looking faint and it could be argued what happened last summer cost them.
Mancini told The Guardian: “It’s important to realise we have made some mistakes.
“I have made some mistakes and the players have made some mistakes.
“But the first reason is because we didn’t do what we should have done in the summer transfer market — we worked really badly in the market.”
Strikers Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao of Napoli and Atletico Madrid respectively could be among City’s targets this summer and Mancini admires them both.
He said: “Cavani and Falcao would work in England. They have experience. Both players are 26, 27. They are good enough to play in England.”
While Mancini may feel beleaguered, he has not had to suffer the personal abuse Rafael Benitez, his opposite number this weekend, has endured at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard has never won over supporters since taking over from Roberto Di Matteo on an interim basis in November and his tenure is not widely expected to be extended beyond the summer.
Mancini said: “They had a big problem. When you change a manager it’s normal you can have a big problem but it’s my opinion they are a fantastic team and Benitez is a good manager.
“When you start this job you know it’s the same every year — if you win you are the best, if you lose you are not.
“I have sympathy for every manager.”
City could find themselves 15 points behind United by the time they kick off against the third-placed Londoners but Mancini is not writing off the title and does not view tomorrow’s game as a battle for second.
Mancini said: “It’s difficult to win all 12 games in a row in the Premier League but we will try.
“Our target is to win the Premier League, not to finish second.”
For his part, Benitez believes tomorrow’s game can be a guide to his side’s targets for the season.
The Blues currently sit third in the table but know a win at the Etihad Stadium could take them to within a point of City in second place.
Only leaders Manchester United have won at the home of the champions so far this season, but Benitez is confident his players have enough to claim all three points and set their sights on finishing in the top two.
“We have a lot of respect because City is a great team,” Benitez said.
“But we have to go there with confidence and if we are close I think that we can fight for being in the top two, and if not we have to fight for being in the top four.
“The priority is to win; if we win this game we will be closer but if we cannot we have to keep fighting.
“What I can see now is a team with confidence, we are confident we can beat City or anyone if we do things in the right way.
“We are creating chances in every game so I’m confident we can do it.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech added: “It is a big game for both teams. We need to win to get closer to them and get some advantage ahead of the teams who are following us in the league so it will be an interesting weekend.
“Second place is more than possible for us, we just need to have a good run of results.
“To win the league I think we are maybe a little bit too far, it would need a meltdown from Man United but everything is possible.”
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