From The Mirror:
Jose Mourinho will become the number one target for Manchester City if they finally decide to ditch Roberto Mancini.
Despite trying to play down talks of growing rifts inside the camp and pressure to secure results, the Italian will face more unwelcome headlines if his side slump to their fourth straight defeat at West Brom today.
City official stance is to back Mancini.
But there are grave concerns among the club hierarchy.
Sheik Mansour, the club’s billionaire owner, is only interested in one man and if he does pull the plug on Mancini’s tenure. That man is Real Madrid coach Mourinho.
A senior City source said last night: “In the event the club parted company with Roberto there is only one obvious candidate to replace him.
“The board would have no real power to appoint, it would come direct from the owner and it is no secret that he loves Mourinho.”
Some critics will claim any move for Mourinho is doomed to failure. The former Chelsea boss has launched his career in spectacular, unbeaten style at Madrid and is being acclaimed by their fans in a way previously unknown by coaches.
Sheik Mansour has the cheque book to turn any heads. But if they can’t lure Mourinho there will be more realistic targets at home.
Former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is available and it’s also been suggested they could even attempt to lure Harry Redknapp away from Tottenham.
