Coleman in Frame for City Job

Fulham's manager Chris Coleman will be the surprise name on Manchester City's shortlist if the club decide to end Stuart Pearce's two-year reign after tomorrow's match at Middlesbrough. The Welshman has admirers on the City board and will be considered alongside Sam Allardyce of Bolton and Paul Jewell of Wigan.

Pearce acknowledged last night that he is in danger of being sacked if his side's run of league defeats stretches to six at the Riverside Stadium. His position was not badly damaged by the manner in which City lost 1-0 to Chelsea on Wednesday - the chairman, John Wardle, and his directors were impressed by the team's application - but a change of manager is considered a matter of when rather than if, and informal discussions have already taken place about successors. Paul Simpson of Preston will be another surprise addition to the list, though only as a back-up option.

The task of appointing a replacement would be much easier in the summer, when candidates would not have to leave clubs with the season still in progress. Allardyce is the choice of many fans but he would not come cheaply with four years to go on his contract, plus a big backroom staff.

City would ideally recruit a manager with Premiership experience and Coleman, in charge of Fulham since April 2003, is a strong candidate and would certainly consider leaving Fulham. Jewell, in contrast, is understood to have reservations about leaving Wigan.

A win on Teesside might earn Pearce a stay of execution but it is highly unlikely he will last beyond the end of the season, a fact he seems to be coming to terms with. "I might get a phone call saying we're going to change managers," he admitted. "That is the prerogative of any board at every club in the world. All I can do is prepare the team to play."

Pearce was at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday but he spoke at length with Wardle after Wednesday's defeat and it was in his favour that he could argue that his players had done everything to show they wanted him to stay as manager. "There is an old saying among managers that when you play against any of the top four you can have your arse felt," he said. "Well, at least we didn't have our arse felt. The disappointing thing is that it contributes to a run of defeats but I, as manager, have to take the positives. We have been beaten and that will hurt [Wardle] but I am not going to lose sleep over what the board are thinking. I am thinking only of Middlesbrough on Saturday. What team? What formation? How can we hurt them?"

Wardle and his directors have not given Pearce public backing but he said it would make him "suspicious" to get a vote of confidence. "I am a big boy in this game," he said. "Directors don't come up to managers and say, 'You've got my backing, you've got my assurance, you've got one game left' or anything.

"I would prefer them not to [say anything publicly] because it shows they have no real interest in what's been said and written. I have a great working relationship with the chairman. He will be at the training ground on Friday and he will sit in on our team meeting. He knows this club inside out and we want the same thing: for Manchester City to be successful."

Nonetheless, Pearce is realistic enough to know he is on borrowed time. Alistair Mackintosh, the chief executive, is thought to be particularly sceptical about his abilities as a manager, in particular his lack of success in the market.

In the running


Chris Coleman, right

Joined City as a schoolboy but left after 10 months saying: "I was homesick." Good record with small budget at Fulham.

Sam Allardyce

Has established Bolton in top flight but has a long contract and a large staff so would be an expensive choice.

Paul Simpson

Former City player won promotions at Carlisle. Fourth in Championship with Preston.

Paul Jewell

Lot of experience but may feel he is better off at stable club such as Wigan.