Mancini insists life was harder at Inter as City boss dismisses pressure claim

By Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail
Updated: 17:31 EST, 3 February 2012

Roberto Mancini insists the pressure of managing Inter Milan has prepared for anything the Barclays Premier League title race will throw his way between now and the middle of May.

Manchester City have lost half of their eight fixtures since the turn of the year, exiting both domestic cup competitions and seeing rivals  Manchester United draw level at the top of the table.

Mancini, who blamed himself for the midweek defeat at Everton, has become embroiled in the controversies that have led to Vincent Kompany and Mario Balotelli serving four-match bans.

In control: Roberto Mancini insists he can handle the pressure at Manchester City

In control: Roberto Mancini insists he can handle the pressure at Manchester City

But as City look to re-establish a three-point lead by beating Fulham at home in Saturday’s late kick-off, the City boss laughed off suggestions he was feeling the strain.

‘There is no pressure when you are top of the league,’ said Mancini. ‘This is impossible. The players shouldn’t have pressure on them. We’ve scored 60 goals and we have the best defence in the league. This championship depends only on us and not other teams.’

Mancini claims the City job is relatively stress-free compared to his four-year spell at the San Siro. He was sacked in May 2008 after delivering three  consecutive Serie A titles. He added: ‘After managing Inter, you can manage any team, you can’t have pressure.’

Tough times: City have endured a difficult period in recent weeks

Tough times: City have endured a difficult period in recent weeks

City unveiled midfielder David Pizarro, their new loan signing from Roma, who won the Italian title under Mancini at Inter. 

His arrival may further limit Owen Hargreaves’s chances, and Mancini cast doubt over the player’s hopes of resurrecting an injury-hit career before his one-year deal runs out in May.

Mancini said: ‘He always has little (injury) problems but I hope he can come back.’


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