Danny Murphy: Pellegrini's Job Will be Under Threat if Manchester City Fail to Win Title

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy warns Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini that his job could be in jeopardy if he fails to win the Premier League.

The title race swung back in City's favour last Sunday after Brendan Rodgers' side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Anfield. Last weekend's results left the Citizens in third spot in the league table with 77 points, trailing the Reds by three points with a game in hand.

If City and Liverpool win all their remaining fixtures, both teams will have garnered 86 points. But, the Etihad outfit hold a slight advantage and could pip the Reds to win the title by virtue of their superior goal difference.

Murphy insists that Pellegrini's managerial experience and credentials to handle top sides will come under serious question if the former Real Madrid boss does not guide his current employers to finish first by winning their remaining three matches.

"He's been handed a second chance this season to win the title and, if he throws it away again, there will be big question marks asked about his leadership and his managerial qualities," Murphy told talkSPORT.

"Yes, he got them further in the Champions League, which they should have done after another year's experience, but the Premier League is wide open this year and they have had a chance to be in control of it but lost some really silly games."

"They have only won the League Cup and they had it [the Premier League title] in their own hands a few a weeks ago. With the squad he has got and the money he has spent, if he loses to Everton and then loses the title, it's nail in his coffin."

"Now they have been given a second chance with three games to go. If he can't motivate them players to win those three games then I'm asking some serious questions," the 37-year-old concluded.

Pellegrini takes his men to Merseyside to face Everton at Goodison on Saturday before concluding their campaign at home with games against Aston Villa on 7 May and West Ham United on the last day of the season.

Liverpool face a stern test from Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday before their final league fixture against Newcastle United at Anfield on 11 May.