Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini fighting for his job after Champions League exit

MANUEL PELLEGRINI was left fighting to save his job as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League to leave England without a team in the last eight of the competition.

00:10, Thu, Mar 19, 2015 | UPDATED: 13:52, Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Manchester City slumped to defeat against Barcelona AP•REUTERS

Manchester City slumped to defeat against Barcelona

A first-half goal from Ivan Rakitic gave Barcelona a 1-0 win and put them through to the last eight on a 3-1 aggregate, but only a series of outstanding saves from England goalkeeper Joe Hart prevented City from humiliation.

And City’s frustration was summed up when star striker Sergio Aguero had a late penalty saved.

But Pellegrini admitted his side were beaten an “imperious” Lionel Messi and a “great” Barecelon team although he refused to accept that a last-16 exit for the second season was a failure and will cost him his job.

He said: “We had to take risks because we needed to score two goals so obviously Barcelona were going to have more chances to score. They are a great team and Messi is an imperious player.

“I don’t see it as a failure as disappointment obviously but last couple of years we have improved in Europe and reached the last 16.

Lionel Messi Player Profile

“Had we met another team than Barca we might have gone through. and the financial restrictions placed on us prevented us from signing some of the players we wanted last summer.

“It is not the right time to analyse where we need to improve. We must do that at the end of the season.

“But I’m not concerned about my job. We are still second in the Premier League and must pick ourselves up for the final nine games of the season.”

I’m not concerned about my job
Manuel Pellegrini

City hero Hart said: “I am in there to make saves and I just tried to make myself big. It was busy.

“That is the second time in two years so that is disappointing for us. We had a big chance but we did not take it.”

Winger James Milner said: “It was a good chance for us and to have got a goal early would have helped but that’s football.

“They are a good team but we did not show our best over the two legs.

“Joe is just incredible and it is not the first time he has helped us out in Europe. He was amazing.”