Fighting talk from Pellegrini
Under-fire Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to be judged at the end of the season – and does not think he must win the title to keep his job.
Pellegrini has come out fighting following a fresh barrage of criticism and speculation over his future in the wake of damaging losses to Barcelona and Liverpool.
The Chilean’s tactics have come under scrutiny with his preferred 4-4-2 system proving flimsy against the Catalan giants and again at Anfield.
After losing both games 2-1, City now face a daunting task to reach the Champions League quarter-finals and their grip on the Barclays Premier League title is loosening.
Prior to Pellegrini’s appointment in 2013, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke of the club’s ambition to win five trophies in five seasons.
Pellegrini delivered the first two of them last year, but recent developments have seen the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola linked with his job.
But the 61-year-old was in defiant mood as he held a press conference on Tuesday to preview the midweek clash with Leicester at the Etihad Stadium.
Pellegrini said: “When I signed the contract, I was never told I must win a title every year or that I must win five trophies in five years.
“That was a sentence of Ferran – that is perfectly normal. But maybe you can win two in one year and one in another, the other another two.
“The title is important but it is not the only important thing.”
That suggests Pellegrini believes his superiors will see through a potential lack of silverware this season if the football the team is playing is of the desired attractive style and required standard.
Pellegrini has certainly deviated little from his attacking ideals throughout his time at Eastlands and it served him well last season – to the club’s great satisfaction – with Premier League and Capital One Cup success.
He also points out that this season is not yet over, even though his side trail Chelsea by five points in the table having played a game more and must overturn a 2-1 deficit at the Nou Camp.
Asked about what the expectations are on him, Pellegrini said: “I think you have the wrong opinion about the owners of this club. They are not so desperate to win titles, they want to improve.
“They do want to win titles but they want to do it as a ’complete’ work.
“I want to win titles and I have done it in South America and here – but for me it’s not just about winning titles.
“When you finish the season is when you analyse. You can win titles but if you are not happy with the way you are playing then you cannot continue as a manager.”
