Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that he would have been replaced as Manchester City manager this summer regardless of how many trophies he won.
The Chilean boss is to depart at the end of the season to make way for Pep Guardiola, who has agreed a three-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Pellegrini could bow out with a Champions League trophy under his belt, with the Citizens preparing for a crucial semi-final showdown with Real Madrid over the coming weeks, but Pellegrini believes that his days were always numbered no matter how far they go in Europe.
"The club has always wanted to work with Guardiola, and that is logical, because they have a relationship from their time at Barcelona," The Sun quotes him as saying. "Pep was on the market and it was clear they were going to take him when he became free.
"If I had won two Champions Leagues and two Premier Leagues, Guardiola would still have come. I don't feel they have not valued my work here. On the contrary - there has been an advance in line with what the club wanted. I don't believe they are changing me because they were expecting more."
Pellegrini has won three domestic trophies during his time at City, but his side are essentially out of the running for this season's Premier League title.
Daniel Lewis
