City to 'dismiss Mancini'

Roberto Mancini at Wembley Stadium London - Arabstoday Manchester City are expected to dismiss manager Roberto Mancini later this week, according to reports in the British media on Sunday. Stories emerging in the Spanish press this week claimed that City are poised to replace the Italian with Malaga's Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, and the English Premier League club have so far failed to provide any clarification over Mancini's position. However, speaking on Sunday evening, Pellegrini denied he had spoken to City about replacing Mancini as the club's manager. "I categorically deny that I am the new Manchester City coach, nothing has been signed and no agreement reached," he said on Malaga's website following their 0-0 draw with Sevilla. "I've been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big Clubs are interested in me. "I have an agreement with Malaga not to talk to anyone and nothing has been agreed with any other outfit. I hope the future of this Club will become somewhat clearer in the next few days." Speaking after City's shock 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, Mancini criticised his employers for not publicly addressing the rumours. "You continue to talk about this for six months and also in the last two weeks, too much. "I don't know why the club didn't stop this, because I didn't think it was correct. I don't think that it's true." As well as their FA Cup final defeat, City failed to keep pace with Manchester United in the defence of their Premier League title and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group phase. Reports appearing on the websites of several British newspapers on Sunday claimed that Mancini could even be sacked prior to his side's next league game at Reading on Tuesday.