LONDON • Manuel Pellegrini has claimed he is unfazed by the prospect of being sacked by Manchester City and could easily join another club and enjoy success there.

Long before yesterday's 4-1 win against Sunderland, the City manager had to contend with persistent questions about his future amid expectation of Pep Guardiola replacing him at the Etihad Stadium, when the Spaniard leaves Bayern Munich.

Asked if winning a leading honour would strengthen his hand, the Chilean said ahead of yesterday's clash: "I suppose, I don't know but, for me, it doesn't matter if I continue or not.

"It's very important to win.

"You demonstrate what kind of manager you are and after that you can have another club and maybe they win the title and (then you) are sacked."

City remain contenders on four fronts, with Pellegrini acknowledging that January is a crucial month.

The club face surprise packages Leicester City on Tuesday before another away league game at Watford five days later. On Jan 7, City travel to Goodison Park for the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Everton.

"By the end of January, we will be able to make a more detailed analysis of what the season has to offer," he added.

"At that time, we will then know whether we are in the (League Cup) final or not, whether we are still in the FA Cup or eliminated, whether we are close to the top of the table or six or eight points behind.

"I don't think we have been as solid and consistent as we would have liked to be this season but we are still in touch and the picture could change a lot in the next month."

THE TIMES, LONDON, THE GUARDIAN