Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims that Manchester City are struggling because of the impending arrival of Pep Guardiola.

City have suffered a poor run of form since announcing the Spaniard will replace Pellegrini at the end of the season.

Premier League losses to title rivals Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur plus a 5-1 FA Cup hammering at Chelsea has raised questions surrounding the mentality of the City squad but ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League Round of 16 first leg at Dynamo Kiev, Pellegrini has dismissed reports suggesting his squad are preoccupied with the landing of the famous Bayern Munich boss.

"That is not a problem. All the players are just thinking we have important challenges from now until the end of the season, and the best way is to be focused in every game," said the Chilean.

"Now it is the Champions League, after that we have the Capital One Cup final, and on the Wednesday after we will return to the League.

"So it's very easy, because we're focused on having a season that works."