...or so the rumourmongers on here would have it.
From The Star:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/485848425?-1808" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/485848425?-1808</a>
From The Star:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/485848425?-1808" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/485848425?-1808</a>
Hmmm...MANCHESTER CITY WOULD BE CRAZY TO AXE ME INSISTS ROBERTO MANCINI
ABOVE: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has hit back at speculation against his future
After this season we can win something at the end of next season, so why should I leave?
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini
3rd April 2011
By Steve Millar
Your Shout ( 0 )
ROBERTO Mancini has hit back at speculation about his Manchester City future and believes it would be “crazy” to ditch him this summer.
Roberto Mancini is fighting on two major fronts for a Champions League spot and FA Cup Final triumph – if they can knock out neighbours Manchester United in this month’s Wembley semi-final.
But it’s been widely reported that failure to join the elite in Europe after splashing £161.75 million on players could cost him his job. Mancini has already been included on the shortlist for the Juventus post but he maintains he couldn’t be happier at City.
He’s had positive feedback from the Abu Dhabi owners and is already planning for the future with new star signings as he bids to lift the Premier League title next season.
Mancini, 46, who is determined to see out the two years left on his contract, has worked tirelessly to change the mentality of the club and the players, with a tough, disciplinarian approach.
He likens the battle to transform City to his first two “terrible” years at Inter Milan before they won trophies galore.
Mancini, asked if the constant speculation annoyed him, said: “No. I think that is normal in England or in Italy. When you come to the last two months of the season, every manager is not sure to stay.
“But we have a plan here and I’m very happy at City. I think in the last year we have worked very well. We have become a good team and now we have a chance to change our future.
“I have two years left on my contract and that is not a problem. I have worked harder this year and the problem when you join a new club is usually the first year or year-and-a-half.
“You should be hard. You should change the mentality. You should change the squad because every manager has a different view.
“After this season we can win something at the end of next season, so why should I leave?”
The major question for Mancini was would it be crazy for City to make a managerial change with his rebuilding task not completed.
Mancini said: “Yes. It was the same when I went to Inter. The first two years were terrible. I changed their mentality and Inter were a top club which won everything in the past. After two years we won everything again. So why should I leave this club at this moment? It will be very important to win the FA Cup.
“We have changed a lot and we can now continue. If you recall, Sir Alex Ferguson won his first trophy after seven years.
“We have the chance after a year to win a trophy. We are optimistic.
“And next season we will change something again. Every year you can buy some players to improve the team. If we win the FA Cup and go into the Champions League next season we can play for the title.
“Have I had any feedback from the owners? Yes. But why should I be under more pressure? If at the start of the season someone said okay, eight games from the end you are fourth and in the FA Cup semi-finals, I would have signed for that.”
City defender Joleon Lescott has vowed not to be made a mug by Asamoah Gyan, who scored Ghana’s equaliser on Tuesday.
Lescott said: “It was the first time I had come up against him. I will be on my guard this time around. I will be ready for him.
“We have to do our talking on the pitch and, if we do that, no one can have any complaints. It’s vital that we finish in the top four.”