record in MLS but has been poor at New York City

Manchester City owner Sheik Mansour has grown frustrated that his huge investment in new MLS franchise New York City is ailing and is using City’s resources for an overhaul of their sister club.

City considered it a major coup when they spent $100million to start the club in the States, but have been left shocked that despite paying large wages to former City midfielder Frank Lampard, former AC Milan, Juventus and Italy maestro Andrea Pirlo and previous Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa, they ended the season third-bottom of the Eastern Conference finishing 12 points outside a play-off place.

The future of manager Jason Kreis looks bleak with the City owner unhappy with his dismal contribution after they lost 17 of 34 league matches. They are paying him a $1m salary, which is two to three times as much as rival managers in the league.

Jason Kreis lost 17 of 34 matches as manager of New York City and is growing under pressure

Sheik Mansour is unhappy at the progress of New York City and wants to make some changes to the club

New York City were 12 points adrift of the play-off places, despite having players such as David Villa

Until this season, Kreis had an impeccable reputation in the States for his time at Real Salt Lake where he became the youngest coach to win the MLS Cup.

Sheik Mansour took him out of the game for 12 months — not coaching or managing but fully paid — to learn from City manager Manuel Pellegrini who taught him City’s training methods. He was also given a vast wage budget to attract big names.

Lampard is being paid $6m (£3.9m) a year, Villa is the second-highest earner on $5.61m (£3.65m) while Pirlo is on $2m (£1.3m). But City have now instructed their recruitment team to scour England for players who can turn New York City around, no longer believing in the star talent who are ending their careers over there.

The American club caused unrest in New York when they announced they would be sharing the Yankee Stadium with the popular Major League Baseball team, the New York Yankees, while they built their own venue. But that was supposed to be offset by a successful first season to turn support in their favour, which has not materialised.

Sources in America have suggested that City are considering letting their highly-regarded Elite Development Squad coach Patrick Vieira leave the club to take over from Kreis. The former Arsenal midfielder is keen for the chance to manage and feels he is ready to make the step up.

Frank Lampard (left) is being paid $6m a year by New York City and Andrea Pirlo $2m

Kreis was taken out of football for 12 months and was paid to learn from City boss Manuel Pellegrini

There is speculation that City could turn to Patrick Vieira to take over from Kreis as New York City manager

City wanted to use the MLS club to plant their marker firmly in a part of the world where European clubs are yet to venture. T