• Premier League

Mancini hits out at Pellegrini-to-Man City reports

Roberto Mancini reacted to reports that Manuel Pellegrini is set to replace him by declaring he does not understand the speculation about his future at Manchester City.

Stories in Chile suggested Malaga's former Real Madrid coach Pellegrini will take over at the Etihad Stadium in the summer. But Mancini, who won City's first title for 44 years, said he is tired of talking about his position and sees no reason why he should be sacked.

"I can't continue to answer every week, about one [manager] or another or another. I don't understand this. Why would Manchester City change their manager?" he asked.

Mancini had said earlier in the week that no manager in England had done better in the last 15 months, and insisted that if he should be sacked, so should every Premier League coach.

And he pointed out that, by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield, he has lifted silverware three times.

"After the FA Cup [game against Leeds] I said that in the last 18-20 months since Manchester United won the Premier League [in 2011], there were seven trophies [to play for] and Manchester City won three of these seven trophies."

Mancini signed a new five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium last summer, keeping him at the club until 2017, and he reiterated his determination to stay.

"I'm not the CEO or chairman, if you want to ask these questions ask them. I have four more years on my contract, I think I'm doing well, I am happy here."

City host Chelsea on Sunday and Mancini has given his backing to the under-pressure Rafa Benitez, calling him "a fantastic manager". He explained: "I have sympathy for all the managers. When you start this job you know it's the same every year - if you win you are the best, if you lose you are not."

But despite the rumours that surround him, Mancini said working in England is better than his native Italy, where managers have little job security.

"In Italy, it's worse," he said. "There are some teams that change three or four managers in a year, it's incredible."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.