Roberto Mancini has felt some of the pressure ease on his position as Manchester City manager as he prepares for Saturday's Premier League home game with Fulham.
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Not that the club's ambitious owners have grown any less desirous of retaining the league title that is under serious threat from Manchester United's seven-point lead at the top.
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But the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager of Bayern Munich as from next season has ended mounting speculation that the former Barcelona coach was in line to succeed 41-year-old Mancini should he finish the season without a trophy.
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Wealthy rivals Chelsea may have been regarded as front-runners to hire Guardiola once his year's sabbatical was over, but City also appeared to be gearing up for his potential arrival but now both hopes have been dashed .