Talking to the press prior to Sunday’s end-of-the-season game against Southampton, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that he expects to be at the club next summer, and also defended his squad saying that it doesn’t need big changes in the coming summer, with all other viewpoints suggesting otherwise.
About a month ago, many were expecting Pellegrini to be sacked by The Blues this summer, to be replaced by someone of the calibre of Ancelotti or others. However, the Chilean believes that isn’t the case, saying “I am always confident, because it’s my way of thinking. I signed a contract here for three years. I have one year more.”
“I never felt any problem from inside the club to finish my contract despite all the other things, and the media.” Indeed, speculation about Pellegrini’s future has quietened down somewhat during City’s current run of good form, which has seen them win their last five – many of the rumours only came during the spell of bad form in the early months of 2015, culminating in the derby defeat at Old Trafford last month.
The manager also came out to defend the season, which has been a poor one by current City standards.
“It was not a good season because we did not win any titles, but it was not a disaster.”
“If we cannot win the title, it is better to finish second than third or fourth.”
“It [second] was not our target at the beginning of the season. We tried to keep the title, but it was not possible. Chelsea was better team than our team this year so I think to be second is not bad.”
Talking about possible summer business – a hot topic among City fans at the moment, with young blood seemingly a must – Pellegrini said “there will not be major surgery because I don’t think we need it. It is important to have some new faces. We will try every year to have a stronger squad.”
“All the clubs, not just this club, must make changes at the end of the season. My words would be exactly the same if we won the title. It is important every year to make some changes we will see which changes.”
Many are now expecting the Chilean manager to see out his contract which runs until next summer, before City approach Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.
