Mancini proclaims himself number one

Roberto Mancini believes the success he has achieved with Manchester City so far makes him the number one manager in the country.

The Italian tactician, who joined City in 2009, has enjoyed immense success with the club, winning the FA Cup in his first full season and finishing top of the Premier League last season, ending the Citizens' 44 year wait for the title in the process.

However, City have been nothing short of woeful in the current campaign; Mancini's men were knocked out of the Champions League during the group stages and now find themselves in danger of losing their league title to arch-rivals Manchester United, who at the moment lead the table by a massive 12 points.

Expectedly, Mancini has come under intense scrutiny for City's failure to sparkle this season, and speculation has abounded over whether the 48-year-old will remain in charge of the club come the end of the season.

But the former Inter Milan manager has stoutly defended his record with City and declared that results proved he was the top manager in England.

"In the last 15 months I am the best manager in England," Mancini told the BBC.

"I won one Premier League, one FA Cup, one charity shield, there is not another manager that's won like me in the last 15 months.

"Someone says for six months that Manchester City would change manager, Guardiola would come in, and after Guardiola went to Bayern Munich, now another manager.

"I can do nothing but it is the reality."

City will take on Chelsea in their next Premier League fixture.