Manchester City: Roberto Mancini swears over job speculation
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini swore in front of reporters when asked about speculation over his future.
City are 12 points behind leaders Manchester United, and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is the latest name to be linked with Mancini's job.
After a brief pause and a laugh, Mancini gave a more thorough response and said: "I cannot continue to answer about this every week.
"We've another two months. You'll know then but I can't continue with this."
Mancini replaced Mark Hughes at the City helm in December 2009.
Mancini's City record
•P: 178
•W: 104
•D: 37
•L: 37
The Italian, who has also managed Lazio and Inter Milan, won the FA Cup in 2011 and guided City to their first top flight title for 44 years last season.
Mancini signed a new five-year contract in July but this term his team again failed to progress beyond the group stages in the Champions League.
City remain in the FA Cup, with a home quarter-final to come against Barnsley on 9 March, but lost at home to Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup and are a distant second to rivals United with 12 matches remaining in the Premier League.
Earlier this week Mancini said he was "the best manager in England" and is not facing the sack.
And on Friday the 48-year-old told reporters: "This is normal for you, it's your job, don't worry, but I can't continue to answer each week about one (manager) or another or another.
"But also because I don't understand this - why would Manchester City change their manager? For what reasons?"
Pellegrini backed for Man City
Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has been backed in from 20/1 to 6/4 favourite in Sky Bet's next Manchester City manager market.
The move comes after speculation linking the former Real Madrid chief with the top job at the Etihad Stadium in recent days.
City manager Roberto Mancini is under pressure as his side trail rivals Manchester United by 12 points in the Premier League title race and their European campaign was over before Christmas.
Jose Mourinho has also been linked with the City job and sits second in Sky Bet's next manager market at 5/1.
Sky Bet football trader Chris Spicer said: "It would appear unkind to replace Mancini but clearly the owners have expectations that match their lofty investments.
Balotelli urges City to keep faith in Mancini
Mario Balotelli believes Manchester City would be making a major mistake if they sack manager Roberto Mancini.
Balotelli left City for AC Milan in January as Mancini grew frustrated with the striker's failure to realise his potential amid persistent off-field distractions.
Nonetheless, Balotelli has stressed his affection for Mancini on multiple occasions since departing and, amid reports the former Inter Milan coach is to be dismissed in the summer, the 22-year-old has defended his compatriot.
"There is nobody better for City," he is quoted as saying in The Sun. "Most importantly, the players like him. If you asked who they want next season, every single player would say Roberto. He's not just their coach but also their friend."
Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has been linked with the post, with Mancini tipped to be dismissed with City having fallen off the pace in the Premier League and failed to negotiate a way through the Champions League group stage for a second successive season.
Balotelli, though, has pointed to the fact Mancini ended City's 35-year trophy drought with the 2011 FA Cup and then steered the team to the league title last season.
He added: "Look at the success Roberto has had - the FA Cup and a first championship in over 40 years. Even Alex Ferguson does not win a trophy every year, but he always comes back."
Dzeko, Lescott and Maicon head for City exit as Mancini prepares fire sale to fund move for Fellaini
Manchester City want to significantly slash their wage bill this summer with a ruthless clear-out.
The current Barclays Premier League holders have already begun the process of making their salary expenditure more cost-effective from next season by instructing a number of third-parties to find buyers for a host of players this summer.
Newly-appointed director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano have made it a top priority to streamline the club’s wage bill.
Players City are committed to offloading this summer are Maicon, Joleon Lescott, Edin Dzeko and Scott Sinclair.
The futures of Gareth Barry, Javi Garcia, Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri are also under review ahead of the summer shake-up.
Furthermore, City will make an instant £15million annual saving once Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge and Kolo Toure’s contracts expire at the end of the season.
The Etihad Stadium club will also look to use their unwanted stars as makeweights in their attempts to sign fresh blood.
The imminent clear-out is, in part, to ensure the club fall into UEFA’s financial fair play guidelines, but also designed to give the club more leeway in terms of wages in the transfer market this summer.
City will look to make at least two significant purchases, with Napoli forward Edinson Cavani, who has a £52million release clause, already identified.
Manager Roberto Mancini will also look to add a box-to-box central midfielder to his ranks, with Everton’s Marouane Fellaini viewed as a leading candidate.
It is understood the Toffees are aware of City’s growing interest in the Belgium international, but are unwilling to make a decision on his future until the end of the season.
City would be willing to stretch to £23million to land Fellaini, who is also a long-term target for Chelsea, in the summer and have already earmarked young striker John Guidetti as a sweetener in the deal. Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama is also a target for City.DSSC
Ian Doyle: Manchester City bragging rights could yet determine David Moyes’ future at Everton
SIMON DAVEY has form for provoking a chuckle or two among Evertonians.
Davey was the manager of Barnsley back in 2008 when they stunned Liverpool with a last-minute victory at Anfield in the FA Cup fifth round.
And the Welshman was at it again on Sunday to put the smiles back on Everton faces and open up an inviting route back to Wembley.
The grumbles among the Goodison faithful at the weekend’s last-gasp surrender against Oldham Athletic were still continuing until roughly 6pm on Sunday evening when Graham Taylor pulled out their team’s name first.
Then came Davey’s contribution as Wigan Athletic were the next to come out of the hat (well, Perspex boxy-tube thing, but you get the idea).
Suddenly, there it was. Beat the Latics at home – both Oldham and Wigan, that is – and Everton were back at Wembley for a second successive FA Cup semi-final.
The realists among the fanbase would quickly have pointed that most likely Manchester City and one of Manchester United or Chelsea will then lie in wait.
But the optimist was already envisaging a clash against Millwall or Blackburn Rovers and the possibility of another FA Cup final and the chance to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 1995.
As well as encouraging supporters, the draw must surely have also reinvigorated an Everton squad that has shown signs of tiredness in recent weeks – and has been effectively told their achievements between now and the end of the season could decide whether David Moyes signs a new contract.www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
Manchester City: Why Is Sky Blues Goalkeeper Joe Hart So Out of Form?Even at a reported £100,000 a week, per the Sun, you wonder sometimes if they're paying Joe Hart enough money.
Hart is Manchester City's No. 1 keeper. He is also England's No. 1 keeper. England is a relatively small country, but try telling that to Hart.
Every move Hart makes, on and off the pitch, is subject to absurd scrutiny—and that's just when things are going well.
When a few softies get by Hart, though, or when his positioning lets him down, the inquiries as to what is wrong with him come from all corners.
In truth, City fans might have felt that Hart's iffy start to the season (which included three goals conceded both at Norwich City and at home to Manchester United) was finally behind him after Hart posted four consecutive clean sheets in the month of January.
That warm feeling began to slip away during City's thrilling, costly 2-2 draw at the Etihad. Granted, the strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard were world class, but Hart came nowhere near saving either one of them.
And then it happened.
With his side already down 1-0 to Southampton at St. Mary's, Hart badly misplayed a Rickie Lambert strike that hit him squarely in the mitts, per espnfc.com. Steven Davis bundled the fumble home, and City never found its way in the match en route to a 3-1 defeat that may have finally doomed City's Premier League title defense.
In that moment, all the confidence Hart instilled in his side and its fans in January turned to dust.
It reminded City's fans that when Hart is at his best, few are better. Hart's mistakes though, tend to leave little doubt such as the one he made in England's November friendly with Sweden (Via the Guardian).
Hart has not played since the Southampton match on February 9, so it may seem an odd time to argue that some of Hart's dip in form may be attributable to exhaustion.
It is a real possibility, though.
City has played 26 Premier League matches this season. Hart started all of them. City played six Champions League matches this season. Hart started all of them. In fact, Hart has started 101 consecutive Premier League fixtures for City since the start of the 2010-2011 season.
Tack onto that his England duties (friendly or not, facing Brazil is never easy) and even a 25-year-old top tier athlete in his prime might exhibit some signs of fatigue.
Additionally, Hart could fairly point to the makeshift defense City manager Roberto Mancini has had to employ given the injuries to Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic in recent days. Javi Garcia has been only decent in the midfield for City; at center back, he has been a handicap.
For that matter, the serious knee injury sustained by Micah Richards early in City's season set the back line carousel in motion.
Of course, those factors ultimately fail to explain why Hart allowed Robin van Persie to bend a free kick off the post in the derby, or why Hart's poor positioning of his wall allowed Luis Suarez room to rifle a free kick by him at Anfield (Game summaries by espnfc.com).
City is absurdly unlikely to catch United for the league title, but the work still to be done is significant starting with Sunday's match at the Etihad against third-place Chelsea.
A win for City would restore a healthy seven-point gap between the Sky Blues and Chelsea while also leaving Tottenham Hotspur at least five points back of second.
A loss, though, would put City in the shocking position of going from thoughts of a repeat in the Prem to instead having to fend off Chelsea, Spurs and perhaps even a wounded Arsenal side to protect its Champions League berth for next season.
If Hart is to find his rhythm again, this weekend would be a proper time to do so. Bleacher Ragport
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Manchester United are working on a £55m deal to bring winger Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, back to Old Trafford from Real Madrid. Daily Star
Real Madrid want to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, 22, as their long-term replacement for Spanish international Iker Casillas, 31. Daily Mirror
Chelsea have already lined up a £1.7m deal to sign Chilean teenager Cristian Cuevas. The winger, 17, currently plays for O'Higgins in the Chilean Primera Division. Daily Mirror
Liverpool will send scouts to watch Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, 24, after he impressed Reds manager Brendan Rodgers with his performances in the Africa Cup of Nations for winners Nigeria. Metro
Arsenal want to sign Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, 18, who has been instrumental in Watford's promotion push to the Premier League. Daily Star
Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna, 30, looks set to leave this summer - he is reportedly disappointed to have been offered only a one-year contract extension with the Gunners. The Guardian
Manchester United winger Nani, 26, is likely to leave the club this summer. Arsenal may renew their interest in the player. The Independent
Former England striker Michael Owen, 33, is battling to save his Stoke City career after suffering another injury setback. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal could turn to Swansea manager Michael Laudrup if Arsene Wenger leaves Emirates Stadium, says Gunners legend Ian Wright. But the former England striker insists the Frenchman deserves more time to bring honours back to the north London club. Sun
Michael Laudrup will wait until next week to consider his future, as he focuses on Sunday's Capital One Cup Final. The Swansea manager is Real Madrid supporters' choice to replace Jose Mourinho as manager in the summer. The Times
West Ham co-owner David Gold has told former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio there is no job for him at Upton Park. He insisted they intend to open talks with current manager Sam Allardyce over a new deal. The Sun
Swindon Town have been forced to change the locks at the County Ground after former manager Paolo Di Canio went into the manager's office at night and tore down photos of his successful reign at the club. DSSC
Bradford's joint chairman Mark Lawn is set to offer manager Phil Parkinson a bumper new deal once the Capital One Cup final has been played. The Sun
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has announced plans to stage a match to promote peace in the Middle East against a team of Israeli and Palestinian players. Times of Israel
Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, 20, may be targeted by local rivals Atletico Madrid as a possible replacement for Radamel Falcao or Adrian Lopez. Both Colombian forward Falcao and Spain striker Lopez could leave in the summer. Marca
The French media are expecting a battle of biblical proportions when David Beckham faces Joey Barton in his Paris Saint-Germain debut on Sunday. France Football magazine have mocked-up a picture of "angel" Beckham being confronted by "demon" Barton. Metro
Drop the mind games: Ferguson’s message to Mancini as the title war of words hots up
Ferguson as good as dismissed City’s hopes of overturning United’s 12-point lead at the top of the table
Alex Ferguson has told Roberto Mancini to drop the mind games as the title race enters its final furlong.
Ahead of a pivotal weekend in the race for the Premier League crown, Ferguson as good as dismissed City’s hopes of overturning United’s 12-point lead at the top of the table.
Mancini has repeatedly claimed his champions will take advantage of any slip up from the leaders – with memories of United’s collapse when eight points clear last season a source of hope.
But Ferguson is adamant any attempts to place uncertainty in the minds of his players is pointless.
“My experience of being in this situation, just from last season, is that teams drop points,” said the United manager. “Although they are going on about us dropping points – and I’d say the same thing, to be honest with you – the fact of the matter is they will drop points too.
“That’s for sure. Coming into the run-in you expect to drop maybe a few points, but so will they. It's unavoidable. It's a tough league. It’s not easy winning all your games.
“At the moment we have good momentum. The only thing we can do is try to win our next match and see where it takes us.
“The only way we can approach these games is to win our next game and eventually you run out of games.”
Mancini refuses to give up on the title race – even though the gap could be as big as 15 points when City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
United travel to bottom-placed QPR tomorrow, with Ferguson promising to treat the match with Harry
Redknapp’s relegation-threatened side just the same as a clash with Real Madrid.
But City striker Sergio Aguero believes the 4-0 FA Cup win against Leeds last weekend could be the catalyst for an end-of-season charge for the title.
“It helped us to do things well and gives us confidence for the Chelsea game,” said the Argentine striker. “It will be a good match, difficult, but obviously we need to go out and win. We will try not to lose any more points in the league so we can keep all three points.”
But Ferguson knows the title is now in United’s hands – which is why he insists he will not give Mancini any encouragement by slipping up at QPR.
“It's always a hard run-in in the Premier League,” he said. “With the right attitude and the right players, we have a chance. We're going down there to win. That's what our job is. There is an absolutely brilliant spirit in the place at the moment and a good determination about us.
“We have to treat these games as we would Real Madrid or anyone else. It has to be won. We want to win.
"QPR are fighting for survival and we know it is going to be a hard game. That is what we need anyway. We need to keep the awareness on making sure we do our job right.”"
CRAIG'S BONUS
[spoiler][youtube]vJjcXWfV8IU[/youtube][/spoiler]
more bollox soon
