Manuel Pellegrini expects to be Manchester City manger next season

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that he doesn't fear for his future, even if the club fails to win a trophy this season.

City sit six points behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, while they trail Barcelona 2-1 after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

City's poor form has prompted speculation over Pellegrini's future, but he believes that he won't suffer the same fate as his predecessor, Roberto Mancini, who was sacked after he failed to win a trophy in the 2012-13 season.

He told The Guardian: "Roberto left the club for other reasons, not because he didn't win anything one year. It's not 'if you don't win, you're out.

"Of course winning trophies here is extremely important. I understand you can't just say, 'It doesn't matter, we'll come in fourth or fifth because we've got a long-term project'. But in the last four years this team has won two leagues, come second once, and won the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup.

"I have never felt the situation is that if I don't win I am out whatever happens."

City face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday.