Roberto Mancini brushed off fresh speculation over his future at Manchester City this morning amid reports that Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has been lined up to take his job.
‘F****** hell!’ exclaimed a smiling Mancini in mock exasperation to further questions over the issue.
But the City manager once again questioned why his position should be in doubt considering his track record at the club.
Unflappable: Roberto Mancini, pictured during the FA Cup win over Leeds, has remained calm despite speculation over his future
‘I can’t continue to answer these questions every week,’ he added. ‘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? Since 2011 we have won three of seven trophies.
‘I’m not the CEO or chairman, if you want to ask these questions ask them. I have four more years on my contract, I think I’m doing well, I am happy here.’
Champion: Mancini with his captain Vincent Kompany (right) after winning Manchester City's first top-flight title for 44 years
Mancini also expressed sympathy for Chelsea’s interim boss Rafael Benitez, who has been under constant pressure since he replaced Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge.
He added: ‘When you change a manager it’s normal you can have a big problem but it’s my opinion they are a fantastic team and Benitez is a good manager.
‘When you start this job you know it’s the same every year – if you win you are the best, if you lose you are not.
‘I have sympathy for every manager. In Italy, it’s worse. There are some teams that change three or four managers in a year, it’s incredible.’
Title tussle: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero will hope to overhaul the big lead held by Tom Cleverley and Manchester United
City could be 15 points behind leaders Manchester United before they meet Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but Mancini has not ruled out the possibility of winning their last 12 games.
‘It’s difficult to win all 12 games in a row in the Premier League but we will try. Our target is to win the Premier League, not to finish second.’
Mancini revealed that captain Vincent Kompany has still not recovered from a calf strain, while Gareth Barry is again expected to be out with an ankle injury.
