Keegan: It is ridiculous to question Mancini

Kevin Keegan believes it is "ridiculous" to question Roberto Mancini's status as Manchester City manager.City head into Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea with speculation persisting about the Italian's future, even though he ended their 35-year trophy drought and followed up by winning the Premier League title last year.Failure to make progress in the Champions League for the second season running, allied to an inconsistent league campaign that leaves them trailing leaders Manchester United by 12 points despite their win at Old Trafford on Monday, has left the City manager vulnerable.Keegan, Blues boss from 2001 to 2005, cannot understand what the fuss is all about and feels sure Mancini's work would not be being challenged in any other sporting sphere."In any other sport it would be ridiculous to question someone who has gone into a football club, won the first trophy in 30-odd years, then won the league in the most exciting season ever," said Keegan, speaking at the Soccerex Conference in Manchester."Europe was a disappointment, but Europe was disappointing for Manchester United and Chelsea. You get that."You can make stories around them all you want. Is it right? No. Can it happen? Yes."But I don't think there should even be a question of anything happening to Mancini."The other argument against the Italian is last summer's transfer policy.Mancini has taken every opportunity to berate the City hierarchy - namely Brian Marwood - for the failure to land Robin van Persie, whose arrival at Old Trafford was described by Keegan as a masterstroke.However, Mancini did sanction moves for Maicon, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair, whose combined impact has been minimal to non-existent."The media can say that it hasn't worked because he bought five players and they didn't win the title," said Keegan."That looks like they've taken a step backwards but some of those players might be a lot better next season."Players get judged purely on the football field but they've got to get their families over here, get settled and, in certain cases, learn the language."Mancini will want to make more signings this summer to keep everyone on their toes."But (Yaya) Toure has just signed for another four years and he's a key player."And Keegan is not prepared to write off all last summer's purchases because in Serbian defender Matija Nastastic, hebelieves his old club have unearthed a star of the future."I really like him," said Keegan. "He has come in and played as if he has been there for ever."That Mancini put him in for his debut against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu tells you everything you need to know about him."In five or six years time you could see him developing into a Vidic. He could become even bigger than Vidic, who has probably been the best centre-half in this country for the last five or six years."The big test will come next season when people have had a good look at him. They will try and find out what he is not good at and where his weaknesses are."I haven't seen too many at the moment."Yet it will not be enough for City to retain the championship, with Keegan conceding that will be heading back to United.Even at Old Trafford there are question marks, though, chiefly around the contribution of Wayne Rooney. Not that Keegan can understand that either."People are saying he has had a hit-and-miss season but how many goals has he got? 16," said Keegan."I can remember having great seasons for Liverpool and not getting 16 goals."I've seen games this season when he has carried Manchester United but maybe now he doesn't have to do it every week.That is maybe United's strength - they are not reliant on one.player."Manchester United have never been a one-man team. You never win anything like that.You need five or six top-class players to win something and Rooney is one of them."