Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini not concerned by Pep Guardiola talk

Manuel Pellegrini admits the spectre of Pep Guardiola will still loom large over him even though he has extended his contract with Manchester City.

Pellegrini believes that every club in world football would want the Bayern Munich manager, whose contract at the Allianz Arena expires in 2016, but is confident that if City's powerbrokers want him to leave, they will tell him in person.

Indeed, the Chilean feels his new two-year deal -- a 12-month extension on his previous contract -- is a sign that he has the backing of director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano, who both worked with Guardiola at Barcelona.

"Pep Guardiola is a manager that every team will want to manage because he is a great manager," Pellegrini said in a news conference.

"Maybe he is more linked with this team because of the relationship with Txiki and Ferran and I trust in them and I am sure if they want to bring him in, they will tell me. I have no problem with my relations inside the club. I know exactly how the owners think."

But despite his new deal, Pellegrini is adamant he has no security unless he gets results and he cited the example of Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked by Real Madrid a year after winning the Champions League.

"In football you never know how long are the contracts," Pellegrini added. "You can sign for 10 years and four months after you are sacked. Ancelotti had a contract signed."

But Pellegrini is pleased his deal shows he has long-term aims at City, adding: "I think it is important to be focused this season, not to think this is just a transitional season and we have no interest in continuing our work.

"What it means for me it is very important for the club to trust in our work. I am very happy here also at Manchester City so if both parties are happy to continue. After that you know in this profession you need the results so it is very important for me to have a good season and good results."

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