“This is an absolutely solid project, carried out the right way. I’ve never felt that if I don’t win I’m out.”
Manuel Pellegrini Guardian Interview, Monday 16 March prior to 0 v 1 defeat to Barca.
In the unrelenting harsh media glare which accompanies everything Manchester City, the above article is an oasis of calm reflection on a man and his footballing philosophy. Two sections stand out in relation to City’s ultimately disappointing 2014/15 season.
Firstly that the Manager will not contemplate "Todo vale para ganar, as they say. Win by any means” a fact, perhaps, which has contributed to failing to kick on using the momentum from City’s record breaking double winning season. Certainly on a couple of occasions this year the squad has shown that the 110% needed to make 4-4-1-1 work against top class opposition has been lacking, and a more cautious approach may (or may not) have paid dividends.
Secondly that FFP has played a part “This was the ideal year [to build], [but] with the financial fair play restrictions, not only could we not sign, we couldn’t register players. What we didn’t do was sign a crack [superstar].” The unrelenting football display on show from Barcelona using £150m of talent procured during the club’s “transfer ban” (plus an unplayable Lionel Messi) showed why UEFA’s defined elite, and their ability to continually buy “a crack", leave Manchester City and a number of other teams still some way behind the curve.
All is not doom and gloom. Assuming the Manager uses recent criticism to instil some of the dynamism and fight required to secure second in the Premiership, (FFP restricted) funds will be available to him in the summer. The squad is far from a spent force and these funds, if spent wisely, could yet see City kick on. What can’t happen is to let focus slip and allow the struggle to become one for “Top 4”. That may be success for Arsenal, Trafford, and Liverpool, but I’m sure Sheik Monsour would think otherwise.