Manchester City remain relaxed about the contract situation of Roberto Mancini and are not considering replacing him with Jose Mourinho, even if the Italian manager fails to win a trophy this season.
City exited the Europa League in midweek leaving the pursuit of Manchester United for the Premier League this season's sole chance of silverware.
The club considers Mancini one of the top five managers in world football and see no value in ending a relationship they believe will deliver major titles in future campaigns, if not this one.
The executive team has been impressed by Mancini's readiness to take blame upon himself for recent failures, although their long-term commitment to the manager will be tested by a willingness to renew a contract that expires next year.
To date there have been no formal talks about an extension.
City find themselves in a position where they may face a resurgent Chelsea on Wednesday night four points adrift of United and there has been a degree of resistance to Mancini's management amongst the squad.
Some players complain that the Italian remains a distant figure, his training sessions are not enjoyable, and that the team's tactics do not properly exploit the talent available to him.
An aspect of Patrick Vieira's role as football development executive has been to provide a conduit between squad and manager.
Though his default position is to resist changing management, City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed has demonstrated his readiness to act when judged necessary.
Less than two weeks ago Al Jazira, the UAE Pro League club he is chairman of, dismissed Franky Vercauteren as coach seven months after appointing the Belgian because of a breakdown in the relationship with players.
Mourinho is open to offers from Premier League clubs having taken the decision to leave Real Madrid this summer.
Yet the City hierarchy have concerns over the long-term legacy he would offer the club and the cost of employing a coach who earns over €10 million (Dh 48.39m) a year after tax in Spain.
Mourinho is seriously considering an approach from Tottenham Hotspur.
Potentially more appealing to City, however, is Pep Guardiola's less confrontational style of management.
The Barcelona coach has yet to decide on extending his contract at Camp Nou into a fifth season, but is expected to take a year's sabbatical from football even if he decides against it.
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