{"id":9450,"date":"2015-12-26T15:06:57","date_gmt":"2015-12-26T15:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.colossusbets.com\/?p=9450"},"modified":"2019-08-03T05:55:04","modified_gmt":"2019-08-03T04:55:04","slug":"spectre-guardiola-looms-large-pellegrinis-city-continue-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colossusbets.com\/blog\/spectre-guardiola-looms-large-pellegrinis-city-continue-struggle\/","title":{"rendered":"PEP LOOMS LARGE AS PELLEGRINI’S CITY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE"},"content":{"rendered":"

PEP LOOMS LARGE AS PELLEGRINI’S CITY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE. On Monday, Manuel Pellegrini\u2019s men fell 2-1 to Arsenal. The Blues slipped to third in the Premier League table and sit six points behind Leicester but it could be claimed that City were the real winners last weekend. Pep Guardiola announced he would be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, potentially paving the way for a move to the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n

Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the best managers on the planet and there\u2019s no doubt that City supporters across the globe would be more than happy for the former Barcelona coach to replace Pellegrini at the helm. City\u2019s style of football will appeal to Guardiola and Guardiola\u2019s attacking philosophy will appeal to Manchester City.<\/p>\n

City have been preparing for Pep ever since Roberto Mancini left the club in 2013. Even then, there were always whispers and murmurs that Guardiola would move to the Etihad at some point in the future. He is one of a kind and his accomplishments abroad are clear for all to see. However, to go down as an all-time great, he must succeed in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

For some, Pellegrini has been a great stop-gap. During his tenure, City have won the Premier League, the Capital One Cup, progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League and has a 65% win percentage \u2013 one of the best ratios in City\u2019s long-standing history. However, Pellegrini isn\u2019t perfect and City\u2019s fans believe that it\u2019s time to move on.<\/p>\n

This season, the Chilean\u2019s flaws have been more exposed than ever before. On the road, City are still suspect. In the last 12 months, they have won just seven away fixtures \u2013 the same number as Swansea City. Their last away victory in the Premier League this season was against Crystal Palace back in September. These results just aren\u2019t good enough.<\/p>\n

But it isn\u2019t all about results. An over-reliance on players is more obvious under Pellegrini than in previous years. Just look at City\u2019s record with\/without Vincent Kompany. With their captain, the Blues have kept seven clean sheets in eight matches, conceding only one goal and winning 75% of their matches. Without Kompany, they\u2019ve kept one clean sheet in nine matches, conceding 18 goals and winning just 44% of their fixtures.<\/p>\n

Those statistics tell their own tale. Despite spending over \u00a370 million two central defenders \u2013 Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala \u2013 in the last two summer transfer windows, City still NEED Kompany in defence to maintain order at the back. The Blues must learn to cope without the Belgium international if they are to succeed in the future.<\/p>\n

City have matured into one of England\u2019s top clubs but they aren\u2019t quite a dominant force just yet. In order to build a dynasty at the Etihad Stadium, the Blues need a world class manager at the helm. Guardiola will bring both vigour and endeavour to the club but crucially, he will also bring both order and organisation \u2013 something that City are lacking.<\/p>\n

It has almost got to that stage where you can\u2019t imagine Pellegrini keeping his job even if City win the Premier League this season. To be fair, it would be foolish to turn Guardiola down but equally as harsh on the Chilean. Imagine losing your job after winning the title? It\u2019s almost unheard of yet seems incredibly plausible given the situation.<\/p>\n

Pellegrini is expected to depart at the end of the season but will Guardiola still be available? According to reports, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will all compete against City for his services but the Etihad is the most likely landing spot for the Spaniard. With Guardiola at the helm, City will dominate English football and may finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy. City\u2019s rivals should be afraid\u2026 be very afraid.<\/p>\n

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