in the aftermath of lionel messi's masterclass, manchester city manager manuel pellegrini repeated that he does not fear losing his job at the end of the season but with the ruthless chelsea machine far in the premier league distance and no chance of silverware from cup competitions, the chilean's ageing, expensively assembled side look certain to end the campaign trophyless   a relative drought that will not go down well in the desert residence of the club's owners here, sportsmail looks at five men who could replace pellegrini in the etihad hot seat in the summer should he be given the boot manuel pellegrini could be dismissed as manchester city boss with the club facing a trophyless season  1 frank de boer  with four dutch titles in a row under his belt the ajax supremo is the most attainable of the candidates in the running the innovative 44 year old introduced youth and creativity to an ageing, underperforming side and would appear to fit the bill however, city are famously looking for champions league progression and three group stage exits in a row in amsterdam may undermine his case that said, de boer would have resources at city he could only dream about with ajax do not rule out a dutch dynasty in manchester frank de boer has won four eredivisie titles in a row during his time as manager at ajax  de boer's case may be weakened by three group stage champions league exits with ajax  2 pep guardiola  the bayern munich boss is well known to city executives ferran soriano and txiki begiristain from their time together at the nou camp and would appear to be the obvious choice begiristain, city's director of football, held that role at barcelona while guardiola was coach and the men are close friends guardiola himself has spoken of his desire to coach in england timing however, is the issue pep guardiola is well known to city executives but his contract at bayern munich expires next season  guardiola was on hand to witness city's demise at the hands of former side barcelona on wednesday  the 44 year old's contract in bavaria does not expire until next summer and he has already ruled out leaving before then interestingly that coincides with the end of pellegrini's deal at the etihad 3 diego simeone  the argentine's stock went through the roof after last season's logic defying la liga title and champions league final appearance a defence of that title looks unlikely but by qualifying for the champions league quarter finals the man in black has delivered another work of fantasy diego simeone celebrates with his atletico madrid players after leading them to la liga glory last season  simeone got atletico to the quarter final of the champions league and could be on the verge of a new deal  with real madrid and barcelona retaining their rights to plunder most of the money from tv rights, an exit born of frustration may well have been on the cards but simeone's sister and representative natalia dismissed talk of a move away, stating that her sibling was close to signing a new deal at the vicente calderon where he is loved like no other 4 carlo ancelotti  odds on the veteran italian swapping madrid for manchester could shorten as early as this weekend, when his men take on barcelona in el clasico carlo ancelotti celebrates winning the champions league with real madrid last season  but the italian is under pressure this year after madrid were replaced by barcelona at the top of la liga  lose and it could be two years in a row without a la liga crown, which is not acceptable for the bernabeu masses win, and with a champions league quarter final to come, ancelotti may not be going anywhere 5 patrick vieira  there is little doubt that the arsenal legend will one day be gunning for the top job at city vieira has impressed during his stint in charge of city's youngsters after inheriting a shambles he makes the right noises, is loved by his players and is respected within the club vieira is young and ambitious but currently lacks the experience needed for the role expect him to be the man who replaces the man who replaces pellegrini patrick vieira has impressed city bosses with his work at the club overhauling the youth system 
manuel pellegrini manchester city sportsmail
manuel pellegrini  facing up to a trophyless season at manchester city . speculation is mounting that he could be removed as manager of the club . sportsmail reviews five managers who would lead the way to replace him 