Redknapp talks up Mancini pressure

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes that Roberto Mancini will be fired if he does not meet expectations at Manchester City.

Under Mancini, the English Premier League club have spent heavily in the transfer market and risen steadily in the standings, while winning the 2011 FA Cup last season to break a trophy drought that had lasted more than three decades.

City now sit on top of the Premier League, with Spurs also chasing the title in third place – five points behind the leaders.

The two sides clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and the north London club’s boss feels that his counterpart should be braced for the axe if his team do not fulfil their expectations.

“City are not throwing money around for fun,” Redknapp told the The Sunday Mirror.

“The Sheikh (Mansour, club owner) and the club’s supporters expect Mancini to deliver and if they don’t win the Premier League title who is to say they won’t sack him and bring in someone who can?”

“Personally, I quite like Mancini and I certainly don’t blame him for spending the money he has. I would (also spend heavily) if I was in his position. But you have to accept that with it comes pressure and rising expectations.”

“City have come from nowhere in recent years after living in the shadows of their neighbours Manchester United but, when you suddenly find yourself with the spending power to outbid any club, the past counts for nothing and people don’t want you to win things, they expect it.”

Redknapp said if he had the financial muscle to sign players the way City have, he would have been interested in a few opposition players.

“I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t like David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez,” he said.

“They are fantastic players and with them in your side you would have to fancy your chances, wouldn’t you?”