Updated on
Summary Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has refused to deny holding talks with Monaco last season.
Reports emerged on Thursday that the Italian had spoken to the wealthy Ligue 2 club with a view to taking the managerial reins, and was close to leaving City before eventually staying to guide them to the title.Mancini, 47, admitted holding meetings with several clubs over the possibility of leaving the Etihad Stadium, but insists evaluation of other opportunities is normal.He said: Last year I was very close with seven or eight teams but I prefer to stay hereI have worked well here for three years. If someone thinks we didnt do a good job - we won three trophies in two years. I am very happy we worked well. Now, the next three or four years will be very important for us.In the event, Mancini signed a five-year contract to stay City boss, and added when pressed on any desire he had to leave: No, my future, I thought always this (that he would stay).I signed a contract for the next five years because I believe in this squad, because I can work with serious people like the owner and the chairman.To work with these people is fantastic. In football it is difficult to find people who work well with the manager. For me it is a fantastic situation. Now, I think we have time to improve and build a team.
