Manuel Pellegrini's job as manager of Manchester City is safe for now despite their poor run of form and loss to Crystal Palace on Monday.
Pellegrini is facing a job appraisal at the end of the season, as does Ferran Soriano, the chief executive, and the sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.
There is a sense Pellegrini could be retained next season as there are issues as to who would replace him. Pep Guardiola remains the No. 1 candidate for City, but he has said he'll serve out his contract at Bayern Munich through 15-16.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was passed over in favour of Pellegrini following Roberto Mancini’s sacking two years ago, and the style of football played by Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid is not considered cultured enough to match City’s aspirations.
Patrick Vieira, the elite development squad coach, is admired by the club and thought of as a potential future manager.
Soriano and Begiristain are thought to be more secure in their positions. Begiristain is responsible for a failed transfer strategy that has seen £119.9 million spent on 11 players of whom only Martín Demichelis and Fernandinho can be said to be any kind of success.