Manuel Pellegrini will be handed over £100million of talent to turn Manchester City back into winners, writes Simon Mullock.
The deposed Premier League champions are set to confirm Pellegrini as their new manager once Malaga have finished their season against Barcelona next Saturday.
And sporting director Txiki Begiristain is already working on a number of transfers with Pellegrini’s blessing.
Pellegrini wants Spanish midfielder Isco to follow him to England from Malaga - although Real Madrid have now joined the hunt for his signature.
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho, Sevilla winger Jesus Navas and Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara are also on City’s radar as they look to shake up Mancini's squad.
And, as we reported, Swansea’s rookie left-back Ben Davies has also been watched by City scouts.
Edin Dzeko is hoping Borussia Dortmund will grant him a move back to Germany, but City may be forced to foot some of the shortfall in his wages.
Napoli have also been linked with taking Dzeko as part of a deal that sees Cavani join City.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini wants to bring two of his trusted allies with him from Malaga.
Argentine assistant-manager Ruben Cousillas started working with Pellegrini at San Lorenzo and the pair stuck together at River Plate, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga.
Spanish fitness coach Jose Cabello has been part of Pellegrini’s backroom staff at Villarreal, Real and Malaga, and he attempts to simulate playing conditions within his sessions.
There may also be a role for goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor, although it is understood Joe Hart would favour his England coach Dave Watson joining him.
* MANUEL PELLEGRINI will be the perfect man to take on the demanding role of managing Manchester City, writes Steve Stammers.
That is the opinion of Robert Pires, who played for three seasons under the Chilean at Spanish club Villarreal.
Former Arsenal star Pires said: “There are many strong characters in the dressing room at City – players like Carlos Tevez, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri.
“But Pellegrini will not be concerned about that. He will not be intimidated. He has handled big players before at Real Madrid and at Villarreal and has not had a problem with the situation.
“If there is some kind of confrontation, he will not lose.” Pires had first-hand experience of the Pellegrini approach while he was at Villarreal.
On the playing staff was Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme, hugely gifted but something of a loose cannon when it came to rules and regulations.
He had a tendency to follow his own, rather than those set out by the manager.
Pires said: “In the end, Pellegrini decided he had enough, and it was Riquelme who left the club, not the manager.”
He also described Pellegrini as similar in character to his manager at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger.
Pires added: “He is strict when it come to rules and regulations. Just like Arsene. And like Arsene, most of the time he is firm but calm.
"He does not shout too much. But if he is really upset about something, he can raise his voice. That really has a big effect because it doesn’t happen all that often.
“If a player steps out of line, he will be left in no doubt about what the manager feels.
“A player with a big reputation will not bother him, not at all.”
But Pires stressed: “I believe he will be the ideal man to lead City. The club is big but Pellegrini is a big person. And the fans will like his style of football.
“It is organised but it is attacking, it is positive.
“He loves organisation. That is how he got Villarreal to the semi-finals of the Champions League. With a club the size of Villarreal, it was a fantastic achievement.”
And Pellegrini has mastered the art of helping players fulfil their potential, according to the French World Cup and European Championship winner.
“When I went to Spain from Arsenal, I was a wide player,” said Pires. “But Pellegrini told me he wanted to me play inside and deeper. And it worked.
"He also got the best from Marcos Senna. In fact, he developed his game so much that Senna became an international with Spain under Pellegrini.
“If the City players follow the rules, then they will have no problems with Pellegrini.
“If they don’t, they will have a problem. As Riquelme found out, there’s only only one winner when you take on Pellegrini.”
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