Pellegrini keeping his cool

UNDER-FIRE Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to be judged at the end of the season – and does not think he must win the Barclays Premier League title to keep his job.

Pellegrini has come out fighting following a fresh barrage of criticism and speculation over his future in the wake of damaging losses to Barcelona and Liverpool.

The Chilean's tactics have come under scrutiny, his preferred 4–4–2 system proving flimsy against the Catalan giants and again at Anfield.

After losing both games 2–1, City face a daunting task to reach the Champions League quarter–finals while their grip on the Premier League title is loosening.

Before Pellegrini's appointment in 2013, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke of the club's ambition to win five trophies in five seasons.

Pellegrini delivered the first two of them last year, but recent developments have seen the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola linked with his job.

But the 61 year old was in defiant mood as he held a press conference to preview tonight’s clash with Leicester at the Etihad Stadium.