By MARTIN BLACKBURN
PEP GUARDIOLA has turned up the heat on Roberto Mancini by opening the door for a summer switch to Manchester City.
The former Barcelona coach is currently having a year out of football after quitting the Spanish giants at the end of last season.
Now his representatives have admitted the English champions are one of the clubs the ex-Spain international would consider.
His agent Jose Maria Orobitg played down an imminent switch to AC Milan by saying: “The doors are open for them, just like they are open for Manchester City, Chelsea and so on.
“Pep will listen to offers and then he will evaluate them.
“But so far we haven’t talked about Milan because Guardiola won’t be coaching until next season.”
A move to the Etihad has become a more viable option with his old Nou Camp bosses Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain now in positions of power at City.
Mancini had his first proper chat with director of football Begiristain yesterday as they discussed the way forward for the club at a strategy meeting.
The Italian is believed to be still keen on a renewed move for Roma skipper Daniele de Rossi, who turned down a £30million switch in the summer.
Sources at City have indicated that Mancini’s job is not under any immediate threat despite their disappointing showing in the Champions League.
But the pressure will be on him to ensure City retain the Premier League crown which they won in such dramatic circumstances in May.
