( CNN ) Roberto Mancini says he carries Manchester City 's supporters in his heart -- but there 's not much love being shown towards the man who replaced him as manager of the Premier League champions . Manuel Pellegrini is a man feeling the heat -- and the current City manager has come under fire from his predecessor just 24 hours after insisting he is not under pressure to win a trophy every season . Mancini , the man who led Manchester City to its first Premier League title in 44 years back in 2012 says Pellegrini is `` lucky '' to have inherited the side he left behind after being sacked exactly a year to the day since winning England 's top division . Pellegrini , who led City to the domestic title last season , is under fire with City trailing Chelsea by six points in the league and facing elimination in the European Champions League . `` I think Pellegrini was really lucky because he got this team that is a strong team and he has a chance to put in more good players , '' Inter Milan coach Mancini told CNN 's Don Riddell on the eve of City 's crucial game with Barcelona in the Champions League . `` I think City can win a title every year and have a chance -- it should and must try to win a title every year . '' Nicknamed `` the Engineer , '' Pellegrini has seen the wheels come off his side 's title charge in recent weeks . The Chilean is reportedly on the brink with his team having apparently surrendered its Premier League title with another meek showing in the 1-0 defeat by minnow Burnley last weekend . His team have managed just three victories in their past 11 games -- its season could be more or less over by tomorrow night . City faces a daunting task to reach the last eight of the European Champions League -- a competition it has struggled in despite spending $ 482 million on players since the start of the 2011-12 season . It must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday after being outplayed for the majority of the home fixture . Only once in nine attempts has Barcelona won the first leg of a two-legged Champions League knockout tie and not progressed . Pellegrini has spent heavily since arriving at City but a number of those purchases have failed to impress . Eliaquim Mangala , who arrived from Porto for $ 47million has endured a dismal first season in English football , while $ 32million man Stevan Jovetic has also struggled to make an impression since arriving from Fiorentina . `` It 's my opinion that City is the best team in the Premier League , '' said Mancini . `` It 's in second and six points behind Chelsea but I think it 's the best team . `` In the Premier League anything can happen right up to the last game , in the last minute , '' perhaps a nod to City 's last gasp English Premier League title win in 2012 , thanks to Sergio Aguero 's stoppage time winner against Queens Park Rangers . `` I think they should think that they have a chance to win the title . '' Mancini , who replaced Mark Hughes in December 2009 , enjoyed great success during his three-and-half-year tenure . He led the club to the FA Cup in 2011 before winning the league title the following season . Under Mancini , the club attracted star players such as Yaya Toure , Mario Balotelli , David Silva and Aguero . He signed a new five-year deal with the club in July 2012 but results dipped with rival Manchester United regaining the league title and City suffering a shock FA Cup final defeat by Wigan . Mancini was criticised for his side 's lack of success in the Champions League , where the failure to negotiate the group stage playing a key role in the decision to relieve him of his duties . The Italian , 50 , was also involved in a series of high-profile disagreements with Carlos Tevez , the Argentina striker , which cast doubts over his ability to handle the big names in the City squad . In the 12 Champions League ties under his stewardship , City managed just three victories -- a damning indictment on the team 's failure on the European stage . At the time of his sacking , the club said that Mancini failed to hit `` stated targets '' and that it wanted to `` develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football '' . `` I had a fantastic time in England , '' he added . `` We won the Premier League after many years . I have all City 's supporters in my heart and all those moments in my head because it is impossible to forget this . `` Maybe I miss the Premier League because I worked there for three-and-a-half years . I built the team that is now in second position . `` I think they play with the same players and I am very proud of this . '' Mancini faces a struggle of his own at Inter with the club unlikely to qualify for European competition next season . Inter is eighth in Serie A and is eight points off the qualifying places for the Europa League . It faces German side Wolfsburg in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday having lost the first leg 3-1 .
Manuel Pellegrini says Manchester City still the best team in the Premier League . Italian says City should win a title every year . Roberto Mancini under growing pressure at club . City faces Barcelona in Champions League on Wednesday .