Manuel Pellegrini insists talk about Pep Guardiola possibly coming to Manchester City next year is not impacting his players.

“I don’t think players work for the manager, they work for the group, the team, themselves,” Pellegrini said. “They want to win, they want to continue in a big team. A successful manager must have a connection with his players – not everyone can do it – but I don’t think professional players have any problems if they are listening or reading about things that may happen next year.

“If they are distracted by that sort of thing, they are not professionals, not top players. Because this sort of thing is a fact of life at big clubs, you must separate the present and the future for your work. Look at all the most important teams in Europe, all have them have had moments where the manager is going to be sacked. Sometimes the speculation is true, sometimes not, but you cannot let it affect you. Rafa Benítez and Louis van Gaal are facing uncertainty at the moment, it is just what happens with big teams. It’s part of the job description.”

Pellegrini has seemed reticent of the likelihood Guardiola ends up with City to begin the 16-17 season.