Report: Manchester City ready to sack Pellegrini if Champions League qualification in danger

A sketchy run of form is reportedly threatening manager Manuel Pellegrini's imminent future at the Etihad Stadium.

According to the Guardian, Manchester City are ready to sack Pellegrini before the end of the season if they believe that there's a risk of missing out on the 2015-16 Champions League.

In the span of a month, City have lost three of their last four Premier League matches and have dropped to fourth in the league table as a result. Of course, only the top four clubs receive a Champions League berth, and City's poor string of results have left them only four points above fifth-placed Liverpool, a scenario that would have seemed unimaginable a few months ago.

The Guardian notes that if Pellegrini were to be removed, development squad coach and former City player Patrick Vieira would be a potential candidate to take over the club's remaining fixtures.

Pellegrini shouldered the blame for City's 4-2 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, saying: "It is my responsibility and the only way we can change this is by winning games."