Roberto Mancini will open talks over a new contract with Manchester City after strengthening his power base at the Etihad Stadium by his handling of the Carlos Tevez crisis.
Mancini complained last summer about his lack of control at the club – despite guiding City to their first trophy in 35 years and into the Champions League.
Chief executive Garry Cook has since departed and Tevez’s alleged refusal to come on as a sub against Bayern Munich last month will enable Mancini to manoeuvre out a player who has been a constant source of problems.
Mancini’s contract takes him to the end of next season, but he said: “I don’t want to leave, I’m very happy here. If the club want me to stay, then that’s good.
“In England, managers have more power regarding the team and everything else about the club.
“I’m not saying I can have the power of someone like (Sir Alex) Ferguson but if a manager stays at a club for five or six years it is natural that he has more power.”
Mancini has been given the full backing of owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon
Al-Mubarak as City try to navigate the legal minefield over star striker Tevez’s outrage in Munich. Mirror
Fans back me, not Carlos Tevez: Mancini
Roberto Mancini has claimed that fans favour him, and not Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez.
The Blues faithful showed whose side they were on in the league game at Blackburn two weeks ago when they unfurled a Tevez Out banner.
And yesterday Mancini said: "It is not important they support me but I do like it.
"I want them to support the team and they do this always, they are incredible," The Sun reports.
He also claimed that the Tevez saga has not left him feeling under any pressure at the Etihad.
He seems to be determined that City, without Tevez, will continue to keep pace with bitter rivals United in their battle for the Premier League title.
"I do not feel any pressure. I will always work 100 per cent for this club and this squad. I have had many difficult moments in my career but to play football is a fantastic job and to be a manager is the same. I have had great experiences, why should I feel pressure?" Mancini said.
Mancini admitted his time as Inter Milan manager at the San Siro has made him tough enough to face anything.
"When you manage Inter for four years, you have to be strong — just ask Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez," he added
Tevez to reject loan move away from City
Carlos Tevez will reject any offer to leave Manchester City on loan.
The future of the Argentina international is still under review as the club prepares for a formal disciplinary hearing this week.
There is no hint of a peace deal between boss Roberto Mancini and the striker who stands accused of refusing to enter the fray in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich when he was substitute.
There have been growing rumours that City will send Tevez out on loan when the January window opens.
But Tevez will hold out for a permanent exit to resolve his row with Mancini.
Inter Milan will again lead the chasing pack but City will find that some of their Premier League rivals are also interested in the star. Mirror
Spurs want Tevez if City will sell for £20 million
It is being reported that Tottenham are considering buying Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, if City will agree to part with him for £20 million.
Tevez is facing disciplinary action from City after serving a two week suspension imposed for refusing to come off the bench in City’s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich.
Tevez would no doubt consider seriously any approach from Tottenham, if City and Tottenham agreed a fee.
Having returned from his suspension earlier in the week, it was reported that Tevez has been training on his own and it is quite clear he has no future at City.
Tottenham would see Tevez as an ideal permanent signing, especially as Emmanuel Adebayor is on a season long loan and his capture would certainly curry favour with the White Hart Lane faithful. Footie online
Inter Milan hope to profit from Manchester City losing patience with Tevez
Inter Milan are ready to offer Carlos Tevez an escape from Manchester City - but only if the Premier League leaders halve the £40million transfer fee they were demanding in the summer.
Inter have been trailing Tevez for some time but will not pay more than £20m in January for a player whose City career is over. Mail
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The Football Association will investigate claims that Manchester United's Patrice Evra was racially abused by Liverpool's Luis Suarez.
Evra says the incident occurred in Saturday's 1-1 draw between the teams.
A Liverpool spokesman told the Press Association that Suarez "categorically denied" the allegation.
An FA statement read: "Referee Andre Marriner was made aware of an allegation at the end of the fixture and has reported this to the FA."
It added: "The FA will now begin making enquiries into the matter."
Evra was quoted as telling French TV station Canal Plus: "There are cameras, you can see him [Suarez] say a certain word to me at least 10 times."
The game at Anfield ended 1-1 after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's free-kick was cancelled out by Javier Hernandez's late header for United.
Ashley Cole is to extend his Chelsea contract by two years, ending speculation that the left-back will quit Stamford Bridge and move abroad. Sunday Mirror
Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is wanted by French Ligue 1 sides Bordeaux, Paris Saint Germain and Lille.
Full story: InsideFutbol
Fulham and Espanyol are targeting Sweden defender Mikael Lustig of Rosenborg for a January transfer. Metro
Wojciech Szczesny does not deserve to be first-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal or Poland, according to the man he replaced, Lukasz Fabianski. Metro
Chelsea are being accused of trying to prevent fans protesting against a request by owner Roman Abramovich to buy the freehold of Stamford Bridge. Daily Mail
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand deserves praise for admitting he impeded Charlie Adam in the clubs' 1-1 draw at Anfield. talkSHIT
Roberto Martinez has called on his Wigan players to end the "negative dynamic" that has led to them sliding down to 19th place in the Premier League. talkSHIT
Former Manchester United and England right-back Gary Neville has called Wayne Rooney "an absolute banker" for England's Euro 2012 squad despite his three-match ban. The Mail on Sunday
The average wage of players at Otelul Galati - Manchester United's Champions League opponents next week - is £44,000 - per year. The Observer
Chelsea defender John Terry is to open a Surbiton snake shop - and is expected to get to grips with a Royal Python. Metro
England boss Fabio Capello is reportedly desperate to appeal against striker Wayne Rooney's three-match Euro 2012 ban - but fears doing so will lead to it being increased. Daily Mirror
Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has claimed that team-mate Gareth Bale's thrilling performances in recent months are all down to him. Metro
Everton manager David Moyes has warned that fans could turn away from football if bad refereeing keeps spoiling games. Daily Mirror
Chelsea's assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo is believed to be in the running to take over at Swiss Super League giants FC Basel. Inside Futbol
Newcastle captain Fabio Coloccini admits that his daughter is fluent in English and speaks in a Geordie accent. He says: "Sometimes I can't understand her."Daily Telegraph
Former Liverpool and Chelsea winger Joe Cole has settled into life in France with Lille and hopes to revive his England career. The Guardian
Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of ever managing England, saying that the job should be given to an Englishman. The Sun
A group of six resourceful football fans snuck into a Brazilian cup tie between Sampaio Correa and Moto Clube by hiding in the back of an ambulance while it drove into the stadium. Metro
Norwich's Bradley Johnson has been named the marathon man of the Premier League - he is the only player to have covered over 12km in every appearance this season. Daily Mirror
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