Manuel Pellegrini has expressed confidence that Manchester City will reclaim the title next season.

The former Premier League champions were expected to put together a much better title defence than the current campaign. After being in touch with Chelsea on New Year’s Day, City could have easily finished much lower than the eight point deficit between them and eventual champions Chelsea. This is following a spectacular run of poor form during March. Pellegrini’s job appeared under threat immediately after the end of the campaign, but he now looks set to stay as the manager.

Instead, some of the high profile players like Yaya Touré could be axed from the squad in order to improve the professionalism and desire amongst players. The Ivory Coast international was heavily criticised for his lacklustre displays that eventually translated into the team performing poorly as a whole. Pellegrini is expected to sign some key names like Raheem Sterling in the hope of infusing some quality and desire back into the squad. He is expecting a proper title challenge from the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva. Pellegrini also revealed that he has been in talks with key club officials over the club’s upcoming transfer window.

"I am sure we are going to return stronger next season and that we are going to recover the title to the Etihad.The same way that our stadium is growing with the new stand, I think the club completely will grow. There are a lot of important things in our project that we must try to improve every year.I always have communication every week with the owners. I know exactly what they think - they know what I think also. I think every team needs change every year. Maybe I would tell you exactly the same if we won the title again,” said Pellegrini.