Despite the speculation, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed opposite number Roberto Mancini to still be in charge of Manchester City next season.
The Italian has come under increased pressure with the Blues failing to fire in Europe before allowing United to canter to a 15-point Premier League – and almost certainly the title.
But despite this season’s cut-throat managerial nature– Sunderland’s Martin O’Neil becoming the fifth top-flight manager to lose his job this weekend – Ferguson expects the City boss to survive.
“If the manager doesn’t win a few games, all sorts of stuff is written,” he told the Daily Express.
“I don’t think Mancini will be worried about that. The speculation goes with the territory.
“He knows what he is capable of. Will he be at Manchester City next season? Why not?”
Prior to Manchester City’s resounding win over Newcastle United, Mancini had conceded his team’s title chances were over – something he again reiterated post match.
The 48-year-old made a similar declaration last April, before a thrilling season climax saw the Citizens overturn an eight-point deficit and clinch their first title in 44 years.
But with only eight games left, Ferguson – widely seen as one of the masters of mind games – feels Mancini had no choice but to concede defeat.
“Writing his team off was the only thing he could do,” he said. “Considering how many points behind they are, he couldn’t say ‘we’ve got a great chance now’.
“In January he was saying they could still win the league and that was probably the right thing to say.
“But with the current situation what’s he going to say? ‘We can still win the league?’ No chance.”
Image courtesy of MCFC, via YouTube, with thanks
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
