City chief al-Mubarak backs coach Mancini
'Roberto is driven and committed... he is definitely the right manager for this club'
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak insists Roberto Mancini will remain in charge at Eastlands despite his side's failure to qualify for the Champions League.
City's Abu Dhabi-based owners set the Italian a target of qualifying for the Champions League when he replaced Mark Hughes as boss earlier this season, but that ambition was shattered by Tottenham's 1-0 win over Mancini's men on Wednesday.
They are now unable to catch fourth-placed Spurs, prompting suggestions former Inter coach Mancini would be sacked.
But Khaldoon and owner Sheikh Mansour, who have spent over £200 million on new players since taking over, claim they never viewed Mancini's appointment as a short-term option and insist the manager will be backed strongly in the transfer market during the close-season.
Club satisfied
"There is no speculation," Khaldoon told City's website.
"Roberto has done an excellent job. I am very happy and Sheikh Mansour is delighted with the way he has organised the team.
"With a good pre-season he (Mancini) is going to do a wonderful job for us next season and for many years.
"I have the highest regard for him as a human being and as a person and believe he is definitely the right manager for this club for many years."
City have gone through five managers in the past six seasons and there is no appetite for another change, especially as Khaldoon sees enough progress to be satisfied with Mancini's efforts this term.
"We made a big leap last year," he said.
"It is a different team now, especially in the last couple of months. Roberto is driven and committed. He has a winning mentality. He wants to achieve things and has the interests of the club at heart.
"What he needs is time to prepare. We know the areas which need to be improved and the manager will be given all the tools he needs to be well prepared for next season."