• Premier League

Mancini never felt threatened by Pep talk

ESPN staff
January 18, 2013
Roberto Mancini is less than a year into the five-year deal signed last summer © PA Photos
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Roberto Mancini said that Pep Guardiola will join one of the world's great clubs in Bayern Munich but insisted he had not been worried by speculation the former Barcelona manager would take his job at Manchester City.

Guardiola will end his one-year sabbatical after he agreed to join the Bundesliga leaders next season. The double-Champions League winner had been linked with City, who have appointed the former Barcelona CEO Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain to senior positions.

But Mancini was adamant he had no problem reading stories that Guardiola was lined up to replace him at the Etihad Stadium and hopes to see out the lucrative new contract he signed last summer.

He said: "I didn't have any problem for this. I understand the newspapers should write that every manager want to take this job because it is a good job. But I think we work very well here, I have a five-year contract and I think this is possible [to stay] for five years."

The Italian believes Guardiola - also a reported target for Chelsea, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain - has made the right choice in opting for Bayern.

He added: "I think that after one year he decides to go to another team. Bayern Munich is one of the top clubs in the world for its history, like Barca. If he decides this, it is because it is the best solution for him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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