No guarantees for Mancini

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini accepts his job may not be guaranteed long-term, even though he has helped steer them towards a glorious future.

The Italian’s position at the Etihad Stadium has become the subject of speculation as his side have stuttered in the Barclays Premier League title race over the past month.

That is despite a largely impressive and sustained challenge for a first league crown since 1968 and last season’s FA Cup success, which ended a 35-year trophy drought.

Mancini, who succeeded Mark Hughes in December 2009, said: “I started my job two-and-a-half years ago and from that moment I think we have improved a lot as a team, as players, as a club.

“I think this is important when you are at a new team. When you choose the job you should know anything can happen any moment but I don’t have any problem with this.

“When you work hard for your job and you improve for your team, I think this is important.”

City, having led the table for most of the season, now trail rivals Manchester United by five points with seven games remaining.

Real Madrid’s former Chelsea and Inter boss Jose Mourinho has been linked with Mancini’s job but there has been no suggestion from City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners that they are considering a management change.

Indeed, Mancini has been strongly backed by them throughout his tenure, both financially and in terms of other key man-management matters.

Mancini is thankful for that and enjoys working with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

The 47-year-old said: “My relationship with Khaldoon is fantastic. I can say if he sacks me at the end of the season or next year – I don’t know - I can say every manager that works with Khaldoon is very lucky. Khaldoon is a really good man.”

City face a must-win game at Arsenal tomorrow as they bid to keep their title challenge alive.

Mancini has already conceded the race would be over if his side lose and United beat QPR on the same day.

He is determined that will not happen and is convinced the gap can still be closed.

He said: “If they [United] win all their games, congratulations, they deserved to win the title, but seven games from the end I think anything can happen. We lost four points in two games. It is possible that can happen to them.”

City are hopeful top scorer Sergio Aguero will be fit to return after his much-discussed foot problem while Joleon Lescott will be welcomed back in defence after a hip injury.

Midfielder Samir Nasri is also available against his former club after missing last week’s draw with Sunderland due to a family problem.