Mancini never worried by Guardiola talk

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claims he never felt threatened by recurring speculation linking Pep Guardiola with his job.

Even as recently as last weekend there were back-page reports claiming the in-demand former Barcelona boss was destined for the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

That will not be happening following the confirmation in midweek that Champions League-winner Guardiola, after a year-long sabbatical, will return to the game with German giants Bayern Munich next season.

While Guardiola was suggested as a possible fit for several clubs, speculation he could be City's next boss intensified after the appointment of former Barca executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to senior roles at Eastlands.

But Mancini said: "I didn't have any problem for this - I understand the newspapers should write that every manager wants to take this place because it is a good place.

"But I think we work very well here, I have a five-year contract and I think this is possible for five years."

Mancini committed himself to City until 2017 after guiding them to their first league title in 44 years last summer.

At the same time, Guardiola stepped down at the Nou Camp to take a break from the game.

Mancini, at a press conference to preview City's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham this weekend, was asked if he was surprised at Guardiola's choice of next club.

The Italian said: "I don't know - you should ask him.

"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."

Mancini, who also won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Community Shield at the start of the current campaign, believes his success at Eastlands made the speculation unlikely.

The 48-year-old, appointed in December 2009, accepts he is in a precarious profession but is confident he has the backing of the club's owners and expects to see out his contract.

He said: "I could understand if in three years and we won nothing, but we won three trophies in three years.

"We will probably continue to win in the future.

"The problem would be for the other managers who have not won anything in the last three or four years.

"This doesn't change because Ferran is CEO here and Txiki is sporting director. It does not mean that they keep Guardiola, a manager they know.

"We are here, I have been here for three years.

"We started to build this team and we have worked hard.

"I know the people who are in charge here, Khaldoon (Al Mubarak) and Sheikh Mansour, they are serious people.

"When you decide to be a manager you should know you can lose your job in any moment.

"If you don't do your job well, you can tell after two or three years, but I think we did well until now."