Fans glad Pearce has his chance Keegan ends his reign at Man City

City chairman John Wardle insists Pearce will be given every opportunity to stake his claim to succeed Keegan.

Pearce said: "I'm manager now and that is where I aim to be next season and for a few seasons after that.

"The bottom line is I will be judged on results. I am doing the job from day one and have an eye on the long term."

Wardle added: "We will not be recruiting. We have a manager in Stuart Pearce and we will assess the whole thing at the end of the season."

ODDS ON NEXT MAN CITY MANAGER Gordon Strachan 7/4 Stuart Pearce 4/1 Martin O'Neill 8/1 Claudio Ranieri 8/1 Bobby Robson 10/1 Sam Allardyce 12/1 Gerard Houllier 12/1 Source: Paddy Power

And he revealed the background to Keegan's departure when he said: "I have spent a few days with Kevin discussing the future of the club.

"We agreed that the future of Manchester City was more important than John Wardle or Kevin Keegan and that it was in the best interests of the club that Kevin move on."

If City decided not to appoint Pearce then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill could head any managerial wish-list.

Gordon Strachan, Crystal Palace's Iain Dowie, Claudio Ranieri and Lyon coach Paul Le Guen may also be in the frame.

I hope City are not going to string Pearce on and then dump on him come summer - he doesn't deserve that From E Have your say on 606

Ranieri is a free agent after recently being sacked by Valencia where he took over last summer following his departure from Chelsea.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live on Tuesday, he said: "At this moment I recharge my batteries, I go on holiday and then round Europe to watch some good matches.

"And, why not to come back to the Premiership? I like English football. I lived very well in England."

Strachan has stated he does not want to return football management at a club which constantly battling relegation in a similar ilk to his former posts.

Strachan eyes management return

The Scot has been linked with taking over at Portsmouth but they are currently struggling near the foot of the Premiership and do not fit his bill.

City's reputation as a big club which with unfulfilled potential could suit Strachan who left Southampton in February 2004 after saying he would be leaving in the summer of that year.

Dowie's family are still believed to live in the Manchester region after his spell in charge of Oldham.

His decision could depend on whether he succeeds in keeping Crystal Palace, who are just two points above the Premiership relegation zone, in the top-flight.