Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insisted yesterday he was comfortable with personnel changes that appear to have undermined his position with the Premier League champions.
The Italian saw Spaniard Txiki Begiristain appointed as director of football by City this week, strengthening a Barcelona connection which began when they made Ferran Soriano their chief executive.
The double Barca link has led to speculation that Pep Guardiola, currently taking a year out of the game after phenomenal success at the Camp Nou, is being lined up to replace Mancini who has endured a poor Champions League with City to date.
But Mancini was adamant he had no problems with the new structure.
“I think the next three or four years will be very important for us,” Mancini said yesterday.
“Now, with Ferran and Begiristain, we can work very well and improve our team.
“I’ve always believed my future is here. I signed a contract for the next five years because I believed in this squad and because I can work with serious people like the owner and the chairman. To work with these people is fantastic.
“Now I think we have time to improve and build a stronger team.
“I played against Txiki many years ago and I am very happy,” said Mancini, who did not deny reports he spoke to French second tier outfit Monaco after winning the Premier League title with City last May, with the Guardian newspaper reporting he held “extensive talks” with Monaco.
Nevertheless, the appointment of two high-profile former Barca men will be seen as undermining Mancini’s position.
Despite City, unbeaten in the league this term, trailing leaders Chelsea by just a point and only five months on from being crowned champions of England, Mancini’s men have yet to scale the heights they hit last season.
The criticism of his club’s form drove the manager to joke: “I didn’t know we were the only unbeaten team in the Premier League. Last week, I thought we were in last position in the table.”
But there is no doubt the Guardiola speculation will only intensify as the season progresses.
“I read that now Txiki is here and next year Guardiola or another manager will come here but this is not my problem,” said Mancini.