Mate, we stand three chances of Pep resigning from Bayern and rocking up at the Etihad, slim, none and fat fucking and we might as well all accept this distinct possibility irrespective of how many of you feel toward Manuel right now.
Allegri is a good shout, but again can you really see him moving to us now? I think that when we decided to stick with Manuel in the summer, it was with a view to keeping him here for the duration of this season, if not why not just go for Klopp? All of this leads me to believe our owner and management want Pep and only Pep and are willing to stand still for a season if it means we get him in the summer.
A high risk strategy, but at least its a strategy unlike the non-strategy I witnessed at Stoke today. Unfortunately I can't see a better alternative other than sticking with Manuel until the summer. Outside of this I have no better realistic solutions to suggest.
STOP PRESS: I'd be in favour of Capello as an interim manager if he was available right now.