Manuel Pellegrini has been singing the praises of Manchester City’s squad.
The Chilean has confirmed he has a verbal agreement to succeed Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium, after the Italian was sacked after a disappointing season. Not only did the Blues once again fail to make it beyond the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, United wrestled the title from them with ease, whilst Wigan Athletic shocked them in the FA Cup final.
Pellegrini is expected to sign a three-year deal with City, who will also present him with a healthy transfer budget for the forthcoming window. The 59-year-old is believed to have targeted Isco, his Malaga midfielder, as his main signing ahead of next season, but he is also aware that squad he will inherit boasts some of the best talent the game can offer.
“City have a great team, a great squad and they have people who are very clear about where they want to go and how the club should develop,” Pellegrini, who will coach his current side for the last time this weekend, told Al Primer Toque. “[David] Silva is the kind of player that makes the difference. We will have a squad that can play very good football.”
Whilst Mancini was hugely successful during his time in Manchester, guiding City to their first piece of silverware in 35 years with the FA Cup in 2011 and then their first league title since 1968 the following season, his relationship with some of his players is said to have been virtually non-existent. Joe Hart, captain Vincent Kompany and even the mild-mannered James Milner are amongst those thought to have had falling outs with the 48-year-old in recent months.
Pellegrini will be expected to unite the dressing room upon his arrival, as the club look to retain their league title and finally make their mark in Europe. And although the South American admits he may have to brush up on his English skills, he insists he will have no problem in settling into the country and communicating with his players to ensure a happy and successful camp.
“I did my coaching course in England and I know it very well,” he added. “English football has evolved a lot in recent years. I won’t have any problems adapting. I speak English although not as well as I would like because it has been some time now since I spoke it regularly. I learnt it as a kid and I will be fine. There will be no problem in the dressing room.”
