Roberto Mancini says beating defending champions Manchester United to the title would be the greatest achievement of his career.
Beating rivals United would be the best, says Blues boss
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says beating defending champions Manchester United to the Premier League title would be the greatest achievement of his career.
The Italian played in a European Cup final for Sampdoria and won a host of league and cup medals during a glittering career.
He has enjoyed similar success since moving into the dugout, leading Inter Milan to three successive Serie A titles after a previous 17-year wait.
But Mancini, who also won the 2011 FA Cup in his first full season with City, admits he believes the Premier League title is the biggest prize of all.
Importance
"If we beat United to the title it would be the biggest achievement of my career because it is England. It is the best championship in Europe," he said.
"And for an Italian manager to win the Premier League would make it better than anything else I have done in the game.
"I feel the same sense of importance about Monday as I did as a player for that European Cup final 20 years ago with Sampdoria.
"Monday is important as Manchester City won their last title in 1968 and I think also because our fans deserve it."
Mancini also believes shocking neighbours United would make winning the title even sweeter.
"People say it would be easier if your main title rivals were not from the same city. But I don't agree," he added.
"I think it is good to win the title against your neighbours rather than a team from another part of the country.
"It is more satisfying because it is so important for the city of Manchester to have two great teams like City and United."
