Rafael Benitez lined up to replace Manuel Pellegrini?

Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly been identified as a potential replacement for Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City at the end of the season.

With the defending champions slipping further behind in the Premier League title race, City are rumoured to be considering a change at the helm in the summer.

According to the Daily Express, the club's owners have lost patience with Pellegrini as they face the prospect of a season without any silverware, with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers having already been linked with the job.

The report adds that Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, is expected to leave Napoli in the summer, with City his most likely destination.

City lost 1-0 to Burnley at Turf Moor yesterday, leaving them five points behind a Chelsea side that have two games in hand.