Carlo Ancelotti Joins Pep Guardiola on Reported Manchester City Shortlist

Manchester City are sparing no expense in their pursuit of a potential successor to Manuel Pellegrini after it emerged the reigning Premier League champions have added Carlo Ancelotti to their list of managerial targets.

According to The Telegraph's Mark Ogden, Real Madrid boss Ancelotti has been pushed to the head of City's shortlist if Pellegrini parts ways with the club this summer. Ogden writes:

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Pellegrini, whose three-year contract expires at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium with the club braced for the prospect of ending the season without a trophy.

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And it is understood that Real Madrid coach Ancelotti, who has long-term admirers in the City hierarchy, will be considered alongside the likes of Pep Guardiola and Patrick Vieira, manager of City’s elite development squad, as potential replacements for Pellegrini.

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Ancelotti's deal at the Bernabeu will also expire at the end of the 2015-16 season, but it would be far from outside City's means to sanction a move for the Italian.

However, Guardiola has shot down rumours of a potential switch, via Jamie Jackson of The Guardian:

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However Guardiola, speaking before Bayern’s Cup game against Eintracht Braunschweig, said: “Of course I am going to fulfil my contract here at Bayern.

“I haven’t had a contract offer [from another club] and I am not waiting for a contract offer from anyone else. I have very happy here. I am working for this wonderful club and that is the only thing I am thinking about at the moment.”

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Pellegrini's Citizens currently sit five points off Premier League leaders Chelsea but have played a game more and have 11 fixtures left to improve their hopes of a title defence.

The English giants are also staring at a Champions League exit following their 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash and were defeated by Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Ancelotti's rotation policy at Real Madrid has earned some criticism of late, and Spanish newspaper Sport details the jeers he received from Real's fans during the 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal this past weekend:

Despite last season's Champions League triumph, it appears even Ancelotti's reputation at the Bernabeu isn't beyond scrutiny, with club president Florentino Perez yet to offer his manager an extension.

With City looking to finally crack the European formula, a manager as experienced as Ancelotti could be the key to future Champions League hopes, with City eyeing only the best should they part ways with Pellegrini this year.