When Sam Allardyce first disclosed he wanted to step down as Bolton Wanderers manager, chairman Phil Gartside got worked up into a paranoid state. Reports suggesting Gartside telephoned Manchester City to find out if they were responsible for bending Allardyce’s ear identifies which of the two chairman reads the papers.

Stuart Pearce has always had a great relationship with City chairman John Wardle. However, if Wardle eventually chooses to sell-up, Pearce will accept the sack gracefully, if that's the decision of any new owners. Pearce said: “This football club needs some investment, wherever it comes from, to put some more talent alongside the undoubted talent we have in the squad already, although I wouldn't necessarily say it was imperative. Negotiations are always difficult but if something happens, they will be the first to tell me.”

As far as Wardle has made out, publicly at least, he will continue to provide Pearce, as City manager, the finances to improve the squad this summer. End of discussion unless matters concerning the club’s ownership change before then.

“The chairman thinks I'm the best man to take us forward and I'm very confident I will still be here in the summer,” added Pearce. “If he thinks another manager can do better than me, then fine, but he doesn't. No one has suggested to me at board level that I won't be here and I attended a board meeting on Thursday, which was very constructive. I know exactly where this club needs to go.”

Last Tuesday the club issued a statement through the Stock Exchange after Pearce was quoted as saying that investment “is looking more likely” and that “the money men at the club are dealing with it". The following day the club issued a further statement, this time squashing any rumour that it had received a £90m bid from former player Ray Ranson.

Should the club suddenly find itself in a position to compete at the top end of the transfer market, the press has seemingly decided that a coach with England connections does not fit in the long term, just as many City fans themselves are disgruntled by Pearce's part-time role. That follows a similar process of providing the popular explanation for Allardyce opting to quit the Reebok after eight years - he eventually lost patience with only ever being able to scrimp in the transfer market.