Manuel Pellegrini looks likely to continue as Manchester City manager , in part due to the lack of suitable candidates to replace him this summer . Serious questions are being asked of Pellegrini after another chastening defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League and what has so far been a weak defence of the Premier League title . But although there is deep concern at the Etihad about City ’ s lack of progress this season , it is understood there are no plans to sack him at the end of the campaign . However , Pellegrini ’ s position would be untenable if his team finish outside the top four . Manuel Pellegrini looks likely to continue as Manchester City manager for the foreseeable future . The club are already working on summer transfer targets identified by the Chilean - primarily Paul Pogba . The club are already working on summer transfer targets identified by the Chilean — primarily Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba — and the feeling is that he will survive into the final year of his three-year contract as City wait for No 1 target Pep Guardiola to end his spell at Bayern Munich . Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti have been touted as possible replacements , though Simeone is not liked by the City board , while Ancelotti ’ s links with the club are , according to sources , the result of allies putting his name forward as he looks to find a way out of an increasingly unhappy spell at Real Madrid . Guardiola talks regularly with City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain , though any switch is unlikely until 2016 when the Spaniard ’ s contract expires . City , meanwhile , could lose highly-rated head of youth Patrick Vieira . The ex-Arsenal star is out of contract in the summer and no talks about an extension have taken place . The City hierarchy are waiting for No 1 target Pep Guardiola to end his spell at Bayern Munich . Diego Simeone ( left ) and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti have been touted as possible replacements . City could lose highly-rated head of youth Patrick Vieira , who is out of contract in the summer . VIDEO Pellegrini insists City are improving .
Manuel Pellegrini looks set to see out three-year contract at Man City . Pep Guardiola is being lined up as the club 's next manager . Pellegrini ’ s position would be untenable if his team finish outside the Premier League top 1 . Serious questions are being asked of Pellegrini after defeat by Barcelona . Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti have been touted as possible replacements .