City are still in the hunt for major silverware and are well placed to for Champions League football next season, but if they lose to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and miss out on the top four, Mancini could be heading for the exit.
The Italian has splashed out a staggering ?160million on new players since he arrived but off-field drama and speculation about Jose Mourinho's return to the Premier League mean his job is anything but safe.
Under fire: Mancini (far right) has felt the need to defend his position at City
The City boss believes is the man to take the club to the next level but needs more time to sculpt the team into one that will compete for honours.
He said: 'It would be crazy for me to leave now.I have two years left on my contract and I have worked harder thisyear. The problem when you join a new club is usually the first year oryear-and-a-half.
'Butwe have a plan here and I'm very happy at City. I think in the lastyear we have worked very well. We have become a good team and now wehave a chance to change our future.
'You should be hard. You should change the mentality. You should change the squad because every manager has a different view. After this season we can win something at the end of next season, so why should I leave?
'The first two years (at Inter Milan) were terrible. I changed their mentality and Inter were a top club which won everything in the past. After two years we won everything again. So why should I leave this club at this moment? It will be very important to win the FA Cup.
Troubled times: Both Toure (left) and Balotelli have caused headaches for the City boss this season
He continued: 'We have changed a lot and we can now continue. If you recall, Sir Alex Ferguson won his first trophy after seven years. We have the chance after a year to win a trophy. We are optimistic.
'And next season we will change something again. Every year you can buy some players to improve the team. If we win the FA Cup and go into the Champions League next season we can play for the title.
'Have I had any feedback from the owners? Yes. But why should I be under more pressure? If at the start of the season someone said okay, eight games from the end you are fourth and in the FA Cup semi-finals, I would have signed for that.' ?From Wembley to war: Lee Crooks on his journey from footballer to the RAFManchester City to fight Ireland's ?1.5m claim for pay-offBad boy Balotelli feels Mancini's wrath after bad challenge on Tevez in trainingAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion
?Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini, Jose Mourinho
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail