Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has claimed that Manuel Pellegrini cannot afford to allow Manchester City's progress to stall.
Hughes was dismissed from the Etihad Stadium in 2009 to make way for Roberto Mancini, and the Potters boss believes that Pellegrini needs to achieve regular success to gain the trust of the owners.
"As long as he's seen to be progressing the team and the club then he'll be fine," Hughes told reporters ahead of Stoke's trip to face Pellegrini's side on Saturday.
"They are strong owners and demanding owners, so it's no different from anyone else in that regard. You have to get the results that the ownership require.
"They have a definite view in terms of what they expect for the investment they've made, and they will want to see the club progressing."
Pellegrini will be looking to win his first piece of silverware in England when his team face Sunderland in the Capital One Cup final next week.
