Manchester City were reportedly lining up Jose Mourinho to replace Mark Hughes as their manager in 2009, but shelved their plans as they believed that the Portuguese coach was intent on succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss instead.

Then the manager of Inter Milan, Mourinho was approached about taking over at the Etihad Stadium before the club appointed Roberto Mancini, The Mirror claims.

One City source is quoted as saying: "Talks did take place about Mourinho before the appointment of Mancini. But it quickly became apparent that he wasn't the right man for the job.

"The perception given was that the one job Mourinho really wanted was to manage United."

Mancini was in charge of the ManCity side that won the 2011-12 Premier League title in dramatic fashion on the last day of season, thanks to Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time goal against Queens Park Rangers.