Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that the announcement that Pep Guardiola will take over as manager in the summer has affected the team, according to the Manchester Evening News.
On transfer deadline day, Pellegrini revealed to the media that he would finish his contract with City at the end of the season and it was later revealed that Guardiola would be his replacement.
Since that announcement, City’s title hopes have faded and they have suffered a number of embarrassing defeats.
And now for the first time, the Chilean has revealed that the announcement has contributed to City’s recent demise.
He said:
For different reasons we lost important games in February against Leicester and Tottenham – for me the two games that don’t allow us now to be involved in the title. In the start of February came the news about the change of the manager – (telling) the players I will not continue here next year. A lot of things that involve the minds of all the players.
Speculation about plans for next season is not an easy thing to deal with according to Pellegrini, who saw his City side succumb to disappointing home defeats to Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United.
It was not easy for the players when you read in the newspapers and the media all what will happen next season. All the players that will go out – all the players that will come in.
But City’s recent turn of form is promising and City now have their sights on the Champions League where they will meet Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
We will see what happens in the future in the Champions League – but I hope that this team plays in this way and I am sure we can play in the final.
