Top managerial changes and their impact on European football

Manuel Pellegrini to Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City

Manchester City managed to win only the Community Shield last term and were a centre of constant scrutiny from all corners, thanks to the team dynamics on and off the field.

When you assemble some of the brightest talents in world football, there ought to be morale and ego issues. Mancini seemed to have pulled off a blinder when his team went on to clinch a dramatic league title from their neighbors, but the Italian knew that the real test would be to retain the thing.

A turmoil dressing room coupled with unhappy players and finally a defeat in the FA cup final in the hands of Wigan were too much for the sheikh to take. Out went Mancini and after some thoughts later, Pellegrini came in to fill the managers role.

The signings of Fernandinho and Jesus Navas surely point to the intent of getting the team back on track and challenge for top honours. The owner’s ambition of winning the Champions League might have taken a turn in the right direction with these quality businesses, but still the new Chilean manager has a lot of work to do.

The offloading of Tevez to Juventus is a good start. With Aguero and Dzeko already in the ranks, a third striker is on the cards and Alvaro Negredo is touted to be that player.

Man City had a few defensive issues last season, but their major fault lies in the midfield and wings. Those are almost taken care of with the influx of Fernandinho and Navas, but in order to survive the grueling 11 months of competitive football, you need depth.

While the domestic ball is in Chelsea’s court, thanks to a certain ‘Happy one’ returning to the bridge, Pellegrini will be viewing this season as a rebuilding one, with a possibility of ‘small’ silverware and a successful European campaign. Successful, he might be, in reaching the quarters or semis in UCL.