When it was announced Manuel Pellegrini would be replaced by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, there was great excitement, and many thought the Spaniard would walk to a Premier League title due to the talent at his disposal, but that wasn’t to be.
In fact, it was another newbie, Antonio Conte who ended up doing just that, and many, including the former Barcelona manager, saw Manchester City coming fourth as a big failure.
Now managing in China with Hebei China Fortune, Pellegrini had a chat with Futbol Tactico, relayed by Sport, where the Chilean discussed the Cityzens’ woes last season.
He said: “I think City’s campaign last season helps you appreciate my work over there over three years a bit more. It isn’t easy to win the Premier League and to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
“Maybe some thought that, with Pep’s arrival, City would win the title by 15 points, but that’s not how things work in England. I don’t doubt that things will turn around. Pep is one of the best managers in the world, but the Premier League is more competitive than others, and winning it isn’t easy.”
Winning the title in 2013-14, Manuel Pellegrini was unable to repeat his success in the two following years, losing out to both José Mourinho’s Chelsea and Claudio Ranieri’s unexpected Leicester City before the announcement in January he would be replaced by Guardiola.
Last season, despite an impressive start, Manchester City ended up third in the Premier League with 78 points, only three better than fifth placed Arsenal.
