Manuel Pellegrini has launched a spirited defence of his record at Manchester city, complete with data to support his claims that his three-year reign at the Etihad Stadium should be regarded as a success.
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After taking charge of his final home game as City manager, Pellegrini took to the microphone soon after the final whistle to say a final “thank you” to the club’s fans.
Pellegrini will take charge of City for the last time on Sunday as they travel to Swansea City for their final Premier League game of the season.
Having been criticised for their limp display against Real Madrid in midweek, City started with much more objective and intensity at the Etihad.
I know he’ll have his sights on winning that Premier League title back.
Manchester City’s players must take the blame for a poor second half of the season that has left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, Bacary Sagna said, but the full back still believes they deserve a spot in Europe’s elite club competition. You saw how languished we were against Norwich City without Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial; to me, it looked like a bunch of players who conceded the top four was out of reach already even if we beat Norwich.
Pellegrini, however, called on his side to put their best foot forward in their final league match. They need only a point at Swansea to pip neighbours United for fourth place.
Pellegrini said: “We have Silva, Kompany and Zabaleta – the three of them are injured, and Kolarov we’ll see if he’s fit”.
Wenger was optimistic about his team’s resilient display, equalising twice to earn a point at the Etihad and keeping the gap between the two teams at three points. “So it’s vital for us to be part of the Champions League”.
‘I’m happy but you must always think you can do it better.
But Pellegrini urged people to keep the faith with the battle for top-four positions set to go down to the final game regardless of United’s result against West Ham in midweek.
“We gave a lot”.
City have still got a chance of making the top four of course – the season is not over yet.
Man United can finish level on points with their local rivals if they win against Bournemouth and City draw, but they would have to win by an 18-goal margin and that will not happen. At halftime I looked at him and he was very down, so he must have pain.
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The former Real Madrid and Malaga manager is said to be a big lover of art and is used to spending a lot of his free time at various cultural spots around the United Kingdom.
