Manager Stuart Pearce has insisted he will not walk away from Manchester City. The former England defender is under severe pressure after a run of four successive Premiership defeats which have shoved the Eastlands club to the brink of relegation trouble.French Claws Are Out!
Manager Stuart Pearce has insisted he will not walk away from Manchester City. The former England defender is under severe pressure after a run of four successive Premiership defeats which have shoved the Eastlands club to the brink of relegation trouble.Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierski has taken the opportunity to give his "tuppence worth" and turn the screw on his former manager.
Antoine Sibierski: "It is possible that at the end of the season we are preparing for a European final and they are fighting relegation. I am the same player with the same qualities but with much more confidence and I get that from my manager.
"It is as if the script has been written for me. I made my debut in the UEFA Cup, scored my first goal, have played in most of the games and even came up against my best man in the previous round. Now, I think we can win the UEFA Cup."
Now in 17th spot, City are still six points clear of third-bottom Charlton and have two games in hand - against Chelsea and Arsenal - but many fans have been alarmed at the current slump and fear their club are about to suffer a financially catastrophic return to the Championship.
A mini-demonstration took place immediately after Saturday's loss to Wigan - City's fifth home reverse in six league outings - although it is not thought the board, led by chairman John Wardle have any intention of making an immediate change.
And clearly Pearce is not intending to go anywhere either.
Pearce: "Why should I [walk away]? This is one of the biggest clubs in the country. That is where we stand.
"If I had spent £50million, £60million or £70million putting talent on the pitch and it wasn't happening then I might say to myself 'Hang on a minute son, you haven't done it'. But I haven't."
1997/99 S.Pearce 51/1 1
Didn't spend a lot of time at SJP but had a great affection for the crowd. He chose Newcastle Utd for his testimonial. Famous for missing the penalty against Germany that cost us a place in the World Cup final. An England institution. League Cup winner in 1989 and 1990, FA Cup finalist in 1991 (all with Nottm Forest). Went to West Ham after Newcastle. It shows his die-hard character, he broke a leg in a match at Upton Park and tried to play on!