Manchester City will reportedly approach Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola again next summer if current boss Manuel Pellegrini fails to deliver success this season.
The Mirror claims that Blues' executives Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano see the former Barcelona coach as the man to deliver much-craved Champions League glory.
City will give Pellegrini time to turn the club's fortunes around, but may lose patience if they feel that the team have not matched expectations.
Despite Guardiola being under contract at Bayern, a source is quoted as saying that a move for the Catalan manager may be on the cards at the end of the season.
Manchester City's current Champions League campaign has faltered after losing 2-1 at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.