MANCHESTER CITY will give boss Roberto Mancini the cash to launch another major assault on the top four.
The Italian's position at Eastlands immediately came under scrutiny after City's Champions League dream ended on Wednesday night.
But he was quickly given a ringing endorsement by chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak, who expects the former Inter coach to stay in charge for many years.
City's Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour has already spent over £220million on players.
And Khaldoon said: "We have to move on and give Roberto all the tools he needs in order to be well prepared for next season.
"There should be no speculation. Roberto is our manager and has done an excellent job after coming here in mid-season.
"I'm very happy with Roberto and Sheikh Mansour is delighted with the way he has organised the team. I believe Roberto is going to do a wonderful job for many years.
"That's why we brought him to the club. I have the highest respect for Roberto as a manager and person.
"He is driven, committed and has a winning mentality. He wants to achieve things for the club.
"He has the interests of the club at heart and he is definitely the right manager for this club for many years.
"I think that what he needs this summer is time to prepare.
"We know the areas that need to be improved in the club. We are already in second gear in our preparations for next year."
Mancini was set a target of 70 points for the season after replacing Mark Hughes in December.
Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Spurs means City will reach 69 if they win their final game at West Ham on Sunday.
Khaldoon added: "We can focus on Wednesday night or we can focus on the season as a whole. I prefer to do that.
"Jumping from 10th to being right there in that top four fight to the last week of the season. Fifth is not where we would have liked but it's still a major jump.
"Many people want success today. I would have loved to win the league this year.
"These are hopes and aspirations, but I don't think you can win the league without building a winning mentality."
That could spell bad news for some of the longer-serving City players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland and Micah Richards.
Question marks also hang over the futures of star men Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.
Khaldoon declared: "Carlos Tevez has scored 29 goals and been the heart and soul of the team. He has been phenomenal.
"I have no doubt Tevez is going to become the best player in the world."
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Real Madrid are ready to make a £30m bid for Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.Daily Mirror
England midfielder Joe Cole, 28, wants to join Champions League qualifiers Tottenham when his Chelsea contract ends this summer, despite interest from Manchester City and Liverpool. the Sun
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will be given a £40m transfer kitty for the summer - and Manchester United's former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick is on the wanted list along with Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy. Daily Star
Fluminense hope to agree a deal with Chelsea midfielder Deco, 32, who wants to leave Stamford Bridge. Daily Mail
Arsenal are eyeing Villarreal's Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez, 28, who cost £5m from Real Madrid. the Sun
Sunderland have joined the chase for Estudiantes' Argentina striker Mauro Boselli, 24, with Wigan, Blackburn and Birmingham also monitoring the situation for the £8m-rated player. Daily Mail
Blackburn and Aston Villa have joined Wigan in the race to sign Sporting Gijon defender Roberto Canella. Daily Mail
Aston Villa want to sign Crystal Palace's 19-year-old defender Nathaniel Clyne to replace Luke Young who is eager to return to London. Daily Mirror
Fulham have enquired about striker Frederic Piquionne, 31, who is on loan at Portsmouth from Lyon and will be available for £4m. Daily Mail
Bolton are favourites to sign Ivory Coast forward Aruna Dindane from Portsmouth for £2.7m. Daily Mirror
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez will offer Swansea £2.5m for midfielder Darren Pratley.the Sun
And the Latics are also set to win the race for Hamilton midfielder James McArthur in a £1.2m deal. Daily Mirror
Wolves could launch a £1m bid for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie. (the Sun)
Hull midfielder Dean Marney, 26, is poised to join Burnley in a £1m deal. Daily Mail
Meanwhile, Hull are also ready to sell £2m-rated defender Kamil Zayatte to French side St Etienne. Daily Mirror
Celtic's on-loan Cameroon midfielder Landry Nguemo wants to join the Glasgow club for £1.8m from Nancy - but Wigan and Sunderland are also interested in the 24-year-old. Daily Record
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will hold further talks with the club hierarchy to resolve his future after both parties exchanged "issues of concern" at a meeting on Thursday. (the Guardian)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is due to receive a seven-figure bonus and an improved contract after guiding the club into the top four in the Premier League. (the Guardian)
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is set to axe eight players including George McCartney and David Healy in a summer clear-out. Daily Mail
Hopes of a fans takeover at Manchester United have suffered a blow after it emerged the Glazer family rejected a £1.5bn Middle Eastern-takeover bid last year. Daily Telegraph
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has denied suggestions he is prepared to leave Anfield and insisted he wants to see out his career with the club. (Daily Telegraph)
Rangers defender David Weir has been named Scotland's player of the year four days before his 40th birthday - but says he does not know if he has a future at Ibrox. the Times
Fifa has warned Brazil it is "not on the right path" with its preparations to host the 2014 World Cup. Daily Telegraph
Frank Lampard will let Didier Drogba be Chelsea's penalty-taker against Wigan on Sunday in order to help the Ivory Coast striker win the Golden Boot ahead of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney. (the Sun)
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