Manuel Pellegrini wants to leave Manchester City as Champions League winner

Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that winning the Champions League would be a perfect send-off for him as he prepares to depart Manchester City.

The Chilean, who won the Premier League title at the Etihad Stadium in the 2013-14 campaign, will be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.

City have never progressed further than the last-16 stage of the Champions League, but they are on course for the quarter-finals following a 3-1 win over Dynamo Kiev in the first leg.

"Of course [winning the Champions League would be a great send-off], but if I was continuing next year I would also have the same desire for the club to be as high as they can," The Mirror quotes Pellegrini as saying.

"For me, one thing is not linked to the other, but of course, if you have to leave at the end of the season, the best way to leave is winning titles."

City, who won the League Cup last month, are currently fourth in the Premier League table, nine points adrift of leaders Leicester City with nine games left to play.