Pellegrini set to replace Mancini at Manchester City

Roberto Mancini is facing fresh doubts over his future at Manchester City after reports in Spain stated on Friday evening last night that Manuel Pellegrini, the Málaga manager, had agreed to replace him at the start of next season.

It is claimed that City will pay Pellegrini's €4m (£3.4m) release clause to secure his services, with Isco, the Málaga midfielder, also interesting the club as they consider whether to make a formal bid for him. While it is understood that City were privately claiming no knowledge of any deal, Pellegrini has told his players that he will leave Málaga at the end of this season.

The timing of the claims threatens to undermine City's quest to win Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic at Wembley, with one bookmaker slashing the odds to 10-1 on that Pellegrini will take over from Mancini.

Although Mancini still holds considerable power at the club, it is Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, the chief executive, who have begun driving the long-term strategy, with the pair behind the potential introduction of a new 4-3-3 playing formation for next season, and they are also working closely together on bolstering the squad this summer.