Man City should keep Manuel Pellegrini as manager, says Fernando

Fernando believes Manuel Pellegrini has a lot more to offer Manchester City, and urged the Premier League champions not to sack the Chilean coach.

Pellegrini's position is expected to come under review at the end of a season with City, who are six points behind leaders Chelsea with a game extra played, unlikely to retain their title.

But midfielder Fernando, who Pellegrini signed from Porto last summer, has given his backing to his boss.

"Manuel is an excellent manager," he told reporters. "He gives us a lot of confidence, is a very calm manager and listens to us a lot which is a good way to work.

"He is also a very experienced manager -- we have a lot to learn from him and he still has a lot to give."

City's two previous Premier League titles were secured when they won their final six and five games respectively and now Fernando is targeting eight consecutive victories as they try to overhaul Chelsea.

"We are still fighting for the title and as long as it is mathematically possible, we will do our best to win," he added. "We have eight games ahead of us and will do our best to win all of them and win the Premier League at the end."

Fernando, who cost £12 million, began his City career impressively with fine August performances against Newcastle and Liverpool. But he then suffered a groin injury in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke and has struggled to recapture the same form since then.