Mancini: I don't listen to critics

The Italian came in for some heavy media flak after a loss to Ajax in Amsterdam left City needing a "miracle" - in Mancini's own words - to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

City failed to get out of its group in its maiden UEFA Champions League campaign last year, and its latest attempt has been another underwhelming one with just one point gained from the first three games.

And despite remaining unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League, the champion has also been below par at the start of its title defence.

With much made of Mancini's ultimately doomed decisions to continually change formation in the Netherlands - and accompanying speculation that was unsettling players - the pressure appeared to be growing on the former Inter Milan boss.

But that eased slightly with a hard-fought win over Swansea City last weekend and Mancini, who the Guardian newspaper has claimed held talks during last season about taking charge of Monaco, claims not to have been affected by recent pressure anyway.

Mancini said: "I don't read the newspapers. I know my job and I know when I make a mistake or do the right things.

"For this I talk with my club, my chairman and my staff, the other situations are not important."

Mancini has always remained confident in his ability to deliver and he famously guided City to title success last season after it had been eight points off the top with six games remaining.

But after what was a first league win in 44 years for the club, Mancini cannot understand where all the pressure and expectation for instant Champions League glory is coming from.

He said: "I don't know but maybe there are some that are happy for this, and some others that push for this.

"I don't know who or for which reason, but we are a young club for the Champions League. It could be that we lose some games."