Title might not be enough for Pelle

MANUEL Pellegrini admits even winning trophies won’t guarantee he stays at Manchester City next season.

The imminently-available Pep Guardiola continues to be linked with Pellegrini’s job at the Etihad Stadium - and speculation has increased now the Bayern Munich boss has said he intends to work in England.

Pellegrini, contracted to the end of next season, has dealt with such conjecture throughout his time at City and he acknowledges the club can make a change at any time – regardless of his success.

The 62 year old said: “I don’t think my position is linked to titles. If I have the option to renew here for five years more and don’t win the title, or to win the title and be sacked, I’d prefer to win the title and be sacked.

“I think that if you are the owner of a club, you must have the option to replace the manager if they win the title or if they don’t win the title.”

Even if Guardiola is the man City covet, Pellegrini has the opportunity to make any transition an awkward one as his side remain alive in four competitions. Domestic knockout action takes precedence in the coming days as City travel to Everton for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi–final tonight. They follow that with a trip to Norwich in the FA Cup on Saturday.