Reports this week suggest the FA Cup finalists may have began discussions with the 59-year old Chilean about leaving Malaga to replace Roberto Mancini at Eastlands.
After a disappointing year, which followed Premier League success, rumours are travelling the media hinting Mancini’s tenure at the club could come to an end.
Sacking Mancini would show how City’s standards have increased massively in recent years, deeming a second place finish and a possible victory in the FA Cup a failed season.
The move to England from Pellegrini could spark the start of a managerial merry go round this summer, with Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancellotti all expected to move.
But is Pellegrini the right appointment?
The ex-Real Madrid manager masterminded Malaga to a surprise place in the quarter-final of the Champions League and fighting for a fourth placed spot in La Liga.
He has managed in Spain since leaving River Plate for Villarreal in 2004, where he stayed for five years before leaving for a one year spell at Real Madrid.
He was the man responsible for Madrid’s £200 million spending spree in 2009, buying Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso. He is no stranger to a big transfer kitty and he would no doubt be given one at City.
The blues have struggled in their Champions League cameos in the last two seasons, failing to pass the group stages and Pellegrini’s success this year would give them hope of a manager capable of further progress.
Although he hasn’t won the league in his managerial years in Spain, he finished his last season on 96 points and still finished runners up. Most years a team would win on such a high points tally and that must count for something.
96 points and four losses still looks impressive on his CV and it’s forgivable as he was beaten by one of the best teams to grace the game- Barcelona’s 2010 side, which won the league with a record 99 points as well as the Champions League at Wembley.
Whether Mancini should be sacked is debatable. Bizarre decisions such as changing the formation of his title winning side could sway it along with his Champions League failure.
Language would be no barrier for the experienced Pellegrini, who has only worked in Spanish speaking countries. He speaks good English and a new challenge and large kitty could see him win his first league title next year in the Premier League... possibly with Chelsea if a deal with Jose Mourinho fails to materialise!
Source: DSG
