Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini 'never in dark' on Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has rubbished suggestions Pep Guardiola was ushered into the club behind his back.

Pellegrini, whose side are set for a crucial showdown with Premier League leaders Leicester City on Saturday, said he was informed of all the movements as the Bayern Munich boss was brought into the City hotseat.

Guardiola, who won back-to-back German league titles with Bayern and is on course for a third after joining in 2013, agreed a three-year contract with City this week and will begin work ahead of next season.

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"It's important for everyone to know that I knew what was happening and that no one was doing anything behind my back," Pellegrini said.

"It's important to talk about this season and not the next one."

The Chilean's immediate concern is Saturday's encounter at the Etihad Stadium where his side can overhaul surprise challengers Leicester at the Premier League summit.

A victory for City would see them draw level on 50 points with Claudio Ranieri's side, but ahead of them on goal difference with 13 matches of the campaign then remaining.

Defeat, however, would not hurt City's hopes of winning a third title in the last five seasons, Pellegrini insisted.

"It's not the biggest game of the season so far," he added. "We can win or lose this game and the Premier League will not end here.

"We have 39 more points to fight for. You cannot think you're champion if you win and if you lose, there are lots more points. It's a good game, a big game but not decisive."