Manuel Pellegrini set to take charge of Zenit St Petersburg when he leaves Manchester City.

Manuel Pellegrini looks set to take over at Zenit Saint Petersburg when he walks away from Manchester City at the end of the season.

The 62-year-old coach had wanted to stay in England and was keen on the Chelsea job but Roman Abramovich’s decision to move for Antonio Conte has closed that door to him.

If he signs with Zenit he will replace Andre Villas-Boas at the Russian Premier League Champions.

Russian television Life78 reported on Thursday that the Chilean coach’s agent was in talks with the club over a two-year 4million euros a season deal.

Length of contract and control over signings are the only posible sticking points with the City boss keen on a longer deal.

The City manager revealed he was leaving the Etihad at the start of February with Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola set to take over. He has also been linked with the Valencia job in Spain where he spent nine years coaching Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga. 

Pellegrini's final season with Manchester City looks set to end in disappointment as far as the title is concerned with the club currently 10 points off the Premier League top spot following Wednesday's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.