Pellegrini unfazed by rumours of Guardiola and Messi

I know that it’s late, just days before Christmas, but the talks will be held after the Hannover match, and we’ll then announce a decision.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini yesterday shrugged off fresh speculation that the club are plotting a reunion of Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, his teammate Neymar has been equally outstanding for the Spanish champions this season during his absence, thus making him one of the hot favourites to be listed in the top three players for football’s most prestigious individual honour.

Pellegrini acknowledged that links with Guardiola have been persistent during his time with the club, largely as a result of Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano’s status as prominent former board members at Barcelona. In Italy everyone is talking about Barca’s last two performances, which have been outstanding. Everyone can make rumours, write or talk about different rumours.

The Chilean said: “The only confidence I have is about my work”.

“I am always in favour of reinforcing the team”, he said at Friday’s media conference.

“It’s not a lack of respect about me – this is the profession”.

I think that is the way you must try to demonstrate the kind of manager you are.

Neymar Junior has taken the world by storm since arriving from Brazilian club Santos and is widely considered the next big Brazilian player, even captaining the side at this tender age.

City have qualfied for the knockout stages of the Champions League and are two points behind Premier League leaders Leicester. “We also have to play one game more to be in the semi-final [of the League Cup], so it is also important to win that game”.