Mancini seeks extended stay at ‘one of best clubs in world’

City have made considerable progress since Mancini took charge almost two years ago, winning the FA Cup last season and launching a serious Barclays Premier League title bid this term.

Further success could make the former Inter Milan manager a target for other clubs across the continent, but he is keen to see his work at the Etihad Stadium earn greater reward.

On the eve of a Champions League clash with Villarreal, the 46-year-old, who succeeded Mark Hughes in December 2009, said: “I started to work here two years ago.

“I have worked hard to build a good team and I think I would like to stay here another three or four years because I think in this moment Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world.”

The FA Cup triumph was City’s first trophy success for 35 years while this year’s league start – topping the table with seven wins and a draw from eight games – is their best in any division since 1897.

Mancini also appears to have enhanced his position through his handling of the ongoing Carlos Tevez situation, which has earned him plaudits.

Yet despite speaking from a position of strength, Mancini says he has not begun negotiations over a new contract and insists it is not a priority.

Mancini said: “I would like to stay here for many years in the future but it is not important, my contract.

“After this year I have one more year and I don’t have a problem with this. I haven’t talked to the club but at the moment it is not important.”

Mancini is well aware of the vulnerable nature of his profession. City’s clash with the Yellow Submarine tonight is vital after collecting just one point from their opening two games in Group A of the competition.

Early disappointment in Europe could quickly cast a different light on the season and Mancini, speaking at his pre-match press conference, said: “I would like to stay here but in football every week it can change.

“If you lose two or three games, that can change all – but we are working well.”

City need to kickstart their European campaign after their disappointing 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich three weeks ago, a game remembered for Tevez’s alleged refusal to play as a substitute.

League games against Blackburn and Aston Villa have been won convincingly since, but the Tevez issue has cast a shadow over the club.

Tevez is the subject of disciplinary proceedings and is highly unlikely to be recalled tonight but Mancini did not want to discuss the situation yesterday. He said: “We need to think only about the team, the Champions League and the Premier League.”

Sergio Aguero trained yesterday morning and could return to the side after injury, with Mario Balotelli, impressive in the 4-1 defeat of Villa on Saturday, suspended. David Silva, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko, all substitutes at the weekend as Mancini juggled his resources, could also come back in.

Villarreal have lost both of their games in the competition and City want to maximise their back-to-back home and away matches against the Spaniards to get into contention at the top of the group. Mancini said: “Villarreal are a good team. They are used to playing Champions League, they have done so many times in the past ten years. It will be hard because they play football very well.

“But for us I don’t think it is as important to play well or not well – it is important we win this game.

“I think if we win this game I think we can win also the group. After this we have another three games and I think with ten points we can go into the second stage, but it is important to start to win.”