Manchester City defender Gael Clichy has offered his backing to manager Roberto Mancini.

The Citizens face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday, which is their last chance of winning silverware this season.

The defending Premier League champions are currently 12 points adrift of their bitter rivals Manchester United, but Clichy feel that City's owners would be too hasty in getting rid of the Italian coach.

"Some people will say we should have done better and want the manager out," the Frenchman told The Mirror. "OK, you can understand it and we have people at the top who will decide that.

"If we change the manager than the new one will bring in four or five players, take three or four out. That's 40% of the team and then you need time to adjust.

"That means in a way you're moving a bit backwards when what you really want is to build year after year."

Clichy said that there is no one person to blame for City's failed title defence, stating that everyone at the club must take some responsibility.

"The reality is we won the title last year and there are not a lot of teams who retain it the following season," he added. "So can you blame the manager for that?

"You can also blame the players, because we are the ones that make things happen on the pitch. It's a no-win situation for everyone."

The 27-year-old full-back arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Arsenal in 2011.