Pellegrini confirmed
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BosnianDiamond
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I'm so excited to see what he can do with this squad. Champions League, here we come!
Helmet Cole
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FFS can't believe we missed out on Moyes.
Helmet Cole
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Pam said:
It would do me good to start a 'Manuel out / we want Moyes' hunger strike TBH. Last years shorts are a bit tight and the moobs are getting bigger.
George Hannah
Well-Known Member
better than going on the blanket anywayHelmet Cole said:
BosnianDiamond
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<a class="postlink" href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/manchestercity/id/1122?cc=5901" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/mancheste ... 22?cc=5901</a>
Not sure if this was posted already
Dear Manuel,
It is apt in these situations to welcome the new incumbent to the hottest of English football hotseats with a few mots justes. Unfortunately, as the lady that usually does this quite adequately is on holiday this week, spare week in our Mal's trailer at Prestatyn came up at the last minute, so it has befallen me to carry out the heavy task. The words in this case may start to become a little unjuste, but nevertheless, you will find they are sent from the heart, which is all that matters.
So, welcome it is.
Do not think, first of all, that the sun that encouraged the buttons of your shirt to relax a little during your interview yesterday is always with us. This is not Valparaiso promenade after all. Sometimes there is a glint off the Irwell, but normally just from a fractured mirror or the front half of a car. There was a riot of pastel-coloured shirts and casual jeans on your inception to our little den, but you must never forget that normally jeans are to be worn with a simple (waterproof) jacket in Manchester and that's it. The word casual in these parts has a variety of connotations but never let yourself think it means cardigans with golf patterns or thin fabric light pink jumpers draped around the neck, Amalfi Martini Lord style. Neither are any of the hats that your predecessor wore allowed. Hoods are ok but hats are a little bit Tony Pulis.
- Jolly: Pellegrini's steps to success
- Kelly: Pellegrini makes the most of situations
So to the nitty gritty. What to expect of us all, the great swathe of blue-clad assistant managers that you will become aware of within about fifteen seconds of your first match in charge. We will help you with shouts of "get rid" and "man on" and our tactical knowledge at free-kicks and corners is almost unparalleled. Technical terms from "the big bugger at the back post" and "leather it" will often be heard.
We have seen that, done the other and argued vehemently that the third thing should not in fact have been allowed to happen. The referee is almost always someone who has crossed us at one time or another and we will have special technical words for him as soon as kick-off has occurred. If you require our assistance with goal celebrations, we are quite good at pitch invasions, group hugs and shouting until our eyeballs drop out. If some of us seem occasionally to be pointing in the wrong direction, that's ok, we reposition ourselves with surprising fleet of foot considering the vast amounts of liquid sloshing around inside. We never miss any of the action, unless the bars have opened unexpectedly.
The big fella behind you with gravy on his chin is Dave and the smaller man with the bottle of gin in his coat pocket calling Alexander Kolarov nasty names is Martin. The big lass is Sarah and we are well aware that the kids should know better than to do things like that in public. In all cases bear in mind that our bark is worse than our bite, certain well-known local sorts excepted. In general we will bow to your superior knowledge, but don't expect us to sit on our hands if you take David Silva off and replace him with Scott Sinclair, however tricky the new tactical conundrum is about to be. Also, when United come to town, expect us to morph into a huge bubbling mass of bug-eyed screamers as soon as the whistle toots.
Please also note The Stockport Massif is a mountain chain in Cheshire that our local rivals sometimes go hiking in on bank holidays. Our previous manager occasionally took his bicycle there but had someone else clean it afterwards.
We have been brought up on a strict tactical diet of long diagonal balls into the North Stand, overcooked chicken tiki-taka, enormous dilly-dallying in possession, historically inept own goals and a swathe of badly mishit free kicks from presentable distance. Only in recent times have we learned to appreciate the beauty of a five-nil drubbing of Aston Villa or what it feels like to be the best team in Manchester. If we are honest with you, these things are still very much a novelty for most of us and, although the bravado is always at Empire State heights and the clucking and tutting can be deafening at times, we are often extremely pleased with very small beer and are at our best when something unexpectedly embarrassing has happened to stop us in our tracks. It is sometimes said that we deal with failure a little better than we deal with success, but you should feel more than free to put us to the test on this one.
Be aware that we are a fair-minded bunch, often moved to direct songs of praise at opponents' players who we admire, such as Phil Jones, who is a bit like Juan Roman Riquelme, if you've not seen him yet.
You should, while there is a little time, acquaint yourself with certain important characters from the club's past. For every Colin Bell goal ghosted in from midfield, it is important you sit through a set of Ged Brannan sideways midfield passes slotted into the first row of the crowd. For every beautifully crafted left foot advance from Nellie Young, you should hear the first hand tales of how Ken McNaught's attempted clearance under pressure at Grimsby hospitalised three home fans at the same time. For every Kinkladze pirouette that you find on You Tube, please make sure that you view the video entitled Niel Heaney's Devestating Party Tricks Down The Left. Be aware also that we are steeped in Francis Lee pot shots, but also Lee Bradbury haymakers and that the little man in the boat at Shrewsbury never forgave us for Trevor Morley banging the ball in the river seven times in the same game.
Although we are relatively easy to please, be aware that standards are rising gently in the right direction. Penalties now hit the target more often than not, last minute winners go in at the right end and loss of possession these days is a temporary miscalculation rather than a farewell party. We like pretty football, we like goals smashed in from acute angles and lobbed over the stranded keeper from the half way line, we like our heroes hewn from the same ordinary stone we come from ourselves: honest, fallible and a little bit cheeky. This has been the home of Stan Bowles, Tony Coleman, Buzzer, Bobby Mac, Gerry Gow and Signor Balotelli, don't forget, and not one of them left the building without the sound of a standing ovation ringing in their ears. You too will hear plenty of clapping, plenty of laughing and encouragement, plenty of lusty shouting and barely corked enthusiasm. We should have a badly scanned song up and running for you soon enough too, don't think you can avoid that. "He comes from Chlie-ee-ee," may sound a little staid, but we have a long and succulent history of hitting just the right musical notes in this part of the country, Mick Hucknall notwithstanding.
You may have heard that we got on royally with the last fella in the job and we'll get on fine with you too I reckon. Not many folk from Chile have passed through here but you're one of us now, so make the most of it, give it your best shot and we'll be with you every inch of the way, our kid. Oh and one last thing: don't forget to have Isco sent up with your bags when they come.
Not sure if this was posted already
Dear Manuel,
It is apt in these situations to welcome the new incumbent to the hottest of English football hotseats with a few mots justes. Unfortunately, as the lady that usually does this quite adequately is on holiday this week, spare week in our Mal's trailer at Prestatyn came up at the last minute, so it has befallen me to carry out the heavy task. The words in this case may start to become a little unjuste, but nevertheless, you will find they are sent from the heart, which is all that matters.
So, welcome it is.
Do not think, first of all, that the sun that encouraged the buttons of your shirt to relax a little during your interview yesterday is always with us. This is not Valparaiso promenade after all. Sometimes there is a glint off the Irwell, but normally just from a fractured mirror or the front half of a car. There was a riot of pastel-coloured shirts and casual jeans on your inception to our little den, but you must never forget that normally jeans are to be worn with a simple (waterproof) jacket in Manchester and that's it. The word casual in these parts has a variety of connotations but never let yourself think it means cardigans with golf patterns or thin fabric light pink jumpers draped around the neck, Amalfi Martini Lord style. Neither are any of the hats that your predecessor wore allowed. Hoods are ok but hats are a little bit Tony Pulis.
- Jolly: Pellegrini's steps to success
- Kelly: Pellegrini makes the most of situations
So to the nitty gritty. What to expect of us all, the great swathe of blue-clad assistant managers that you will become aware of within about fifteen seconds of your first match in charge. We will help you with shouts of "get rid" and "man on" and our tactical knowledge at free-kicks and corners is almost unparalleled. Technical terms from "the big bugger at the back post" and "leather it" will often be heard.
We have seen that, done the other and argued vehemently that the third thing should not in fact have been allowed to happen. The referee is almost always someone who has crossed us at one time or another and we will have special technical words for him as soon as kick-off has occurred. If you require our assistance with goal celebrations, we are quite good at pitch invasions, group hugs and shouting until our eyeballs drop out. If some of us seem occasionally to be pointing in the wrong direction, that's ok, we reposition ourselves with surprising fleet of foot considering the vast amounts of liquid sloshing around inside. We never miss any of the action, unless the bars have opened unexpectedly.
The big fella behind you with gravy on his chin is Dave and the smaller man with the bottle of gin in his coat pocket calling Alexander Kolarov nasty names is Martin. The big lass is Sarah and we are well aware that the kids should know better than to do things like that in public. In all cases bear in mind that our bark is worse than our bite, certain well-known local sorts excepted. In general we will bow to your superior knowledge, but don't expect us to sit on our hands if you take David Silva off and replace him with Scott Sinclair, however tricky the new tactical conundrum is about to be. Also, when United come to town, expect us to morph into a huge bubbling mass of bug-eyed screamers as soon as the whistle toots.
Please also note The Stockport Massif is a mountain chain in Cheshire that our local rivals sometimes go hiking in on bank holidays. Our previous manager occasionally took his bicycle there but had someone else clean it afterwards.
We have been brought up on a strict tactical diet of long diagonal balls into the North Stand, overcooked chicken tiki-taka, enormous dilly-dallying in possession, historically inept own goals and a swathe of badly mishit free kicks from presentable distance. Only in recent times have we learned to appreciate the beauty of a five-nil drubbing of Aston Villa or what it feels like to be the best team in Manchester. If we are honest with you, these things are still very much a novelty for most of us and, although the bravado is always at Empire State heights and the clucking and tutting can be deafening at times, we are often extremely pleased with very small beer and are at our best when something unexpectedly embarrassing has happened to stop us in our tracks. It is sometimes said that we deal with failure a little better than we deal with success, but you should feel more than free to put us to the test on this one.
Be aware that we are a fair-minded bunch, often moved to direct songs of praise at opponents' players who we admire, such as Phil Jones, who is a bit like Juan Roman Riquelme, if you've not seen him yet.
You should, while there is a little time, acquaint yourself with certain important characters from the club's past. For every Colin Bell goal ghosted in from midfield, it is important you sit through a set of Ged Brannan sideways midfield passes slotted into the first row of the crowd. For every beautifully crafted left foot advance from Nellie Young, you should hear the first hand tales of how Ken McNaught's attempted clearance under pressure at Grimsby hospitalised three home fans at the same time. For every Kinkladze pirouette that you find on You Tube, please make sure that you view the video entitled Niel Heaney's Devestating Party Tricks Down The Left. Be aware also that we are steeped in Francis Lee pot shots, but also Lee Bradbury haymakers and that the little man in the boat at Shrewsbury never forgave us for Trevor Morley banging the ball in the river seven times in the same game.
Although we are relatively easy to please, be aware that standards are rising gently in the right direction. Penalties now hit the target more often than not, last minute winners go in at the right end and loss of possession these days is a temporary miscalculation rather than a farewell party. We like pretty football, we like goals smashed in from acute angles and lobbed over the stranded keeper from the half way line, we like our heroes hewn from the same ordinary stone we come from ourselves: honest, fallible and a little bit cheeky. This has been the home of Stan Bowles, Tony Coleman, Buzzer, Bobby Mac, Gerry Gow and Signor Balotelli, don't forget, and not one of them left the building without the sound of a standing ovation ringing in their ears. You too will hear plenty of clapping, plenty of laughing and encouragement, plenty of lusty shouting and barely corked enthusiasm. We should have a badly scanned song up and running for you soon enough too, don't think you can avoid that. "He comes from Chlie-ee-ee," may sound a little staid, but we have a long and succulent history of hitting just the right musical notes in this part of the country, Mick Hucknall notwithstanding.
You may have heard that we got on royally with the last fella in the job and we'll get on fine with you too I reckon. Not many folk from Chile have passed through here but you're one of us now, so make the most of it, give it your best shot and we'll be with you every inch of the way, our kid. Oh and one last thing: don't forget to have Isco sent up with your bags when they come.
decmancity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 7 Nov 2010
- Messages
- 12,670
Another really good read;
Expensive Indulgence
A side in the north of England attempting to mimic a club on the coast of Spain ? This is an ego trip fuelled by the extravagance of owners whose wealth knows no bounds. This is vanity, which is how a number in the media may interpret it, poised to print the pre-written obituary of Pellegrini and others when the bricks come tumbling down. And the bricks may well come tumbling down but that should not disguise the clear strategy that Man City has and which they are following.
The comparisons with Spain (and ultimately Barcelona) are inevitable when City have appointed men like Ferran Soriano Compte and Aitor ‘Txiki’ Begiristain Mujik, both of whom are previous employees of the Catalan side. Begiristain was the man responsible for the appointment of Josep Guardiola as the new Coach of Barcelona back in 2008 when others on the Board felt Mourinho was a better fit for the side.
In attempting to construct a new philosophy at the club, it’s unavoidable to an extent that you will turn to men who had helped you in the past and who share your vision. That’s why City was interested, along with other elite sides, of appointing Guardiola as their new Coach. When it was confirmed that Guardiola would move elsewhere, City needed an alternative. Somebody who would fit with their vision for the club over the longer term and who would mould the side on the pitch accordingly. It was no surprise that Begiristain returned to La Liga nor was it that surprising that Pellegrini was his chosen candidate.
The club now aim to install a possession based, attacking game across the board. Each level of the club will follow the same model. The ultimate goal is to be both successful and to complement the first team with players developed by the club. Manual Pellegrini has been tasked with the early stages of construction. He is highly unlikely to be around once construction is complete but the stage from initial project inception to laying the foundations correctly can often be the most difficult aspect.
Manuel Pellegrini
The following season would witness Villarreal reaching the semi final of the Champions League. Riquelme’s missed penalty late in the second leg enabled Arsenal to progress to the final via a 1-0 aggregate win. This remains the furthest stage a team debuting in the competition has reached.
Domestically, the high point for the Chilean arrived in 2007/08 when Villarreal finished second to Real Madrid in La Liga. Villarreal remain the last side to split the big two in Spain , an accomplishment which should not be degraded. In a country where finishing third will earn you less TV income than a side being relegated from the Premiership, the financial disparity between the big two and the remainder should not be underestimated. The gap was bridged and that too by the production of stylish football.
Yet this relative “success” was built upon the back of President Roig’s generosity. When things went bad, Pellegrini - who had overseen the good times – had long since abandoned ship. Right?
Roig’s business began encountering financial problems at the onset of the recession, with the housing crash in Spain causing particular problems. This forced Villarreal to begin following a new financial model. Pellegrini had long since gone by the time of their relegation. As for the spending, Pellegrini’s net spend at Villarreal was just £11million.
At Malaga , he arrived to oversee a new project being built upon Middle Eastern riches. Except the money tap was quickly switched off and Malaga endured a series of financial problems which required the offloading of numerous players whilst others waited for wages. The Engineer repaired the team to ensure progression to the quarter finals of the Champions League (the second furthest stage a team debuting in the competition has reached) and a 6th placed league finish. Pellegrini’s net spend at Malaga was just £16million. When the left back Monreal was sold to Arsenal in the winter transfer window and with the alternative left back Eliseu injured, the club acquired Antunes on loan from Pacos in Portugal . A new component for the team who fitted in seamlessly. It’s not about the money he has to spend. It’s about the qualities of the players both on and off the pitch.
“We wanted players with sufficient maturity, with human qualities as well as footballing ones that can help”
Pellegrini Tactically
“To be attacking, to try to tale control of the game, to take responsibility, to be attractive. There are small differences of course, depending on what players you have, but there is a footballing concept and a concept of spectacle that is non-negotiable”
Pellegrini has used a variety of tactical set ups during his time at Villarreal, Madrid and Malaga, ranging from 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1. But it has been with his 4-4-2 at both Villarreal and Malaga that his sides have often produced the best football. That may sound unusual given how we are constantly told the 4-4-2 is an entirely reactive formation, not to say an almost redundant formation at the top level, yet Pellegrini has it operating in the latter stages of the Champions League. How?
At Villarreal he moved from a 4-3-1-2 capable of utilising the skills of a classic South American style playmaker such as Riquelme and latterly Matias Fernandez to a 4-4-2 using interiores. His final season at Villarreal primarily used the 4-4-2 as shown below:-
Villarreal 4-4-2 Formation
Pellegrini has always used a flat back four. The defensive unit is always well marshalled by a dominant centre half. When an opponent attacks, the defensive line, which is normally high, will drop off to the edge of the penalty area before holding firm. The offside trap is used to good effect. At Villarreal the central defensive pairing of Godin and Gonzalo were physically robust and the full backs of Javi Venta and Capdevila able to move up and down the wings.
The two defensive midfield players stay deep to offer protection and to pull wide should the opposition attack behind either full back. This provides security but is not entirely defensive. The players must also be able to build and construct play. At Villarreal, Marcos Senna was tasked with this role.
The two wide midfield players cut in centrally to form a block of four in the centre of the pitch with the full backs advancing to provide the width. They move into the interior, hence the name “interiores”. Crucially, the two wide players must return to position for defensive duties. The two forward players meanwhile are capable of pulling wide, creating space centrally which can be attacked. Pellegrini was able to use the mobility of either Giuseppe Rossi or Nihat alongside the presence of a more powerful, physical striker such as Joseba Llorente.
The key point throughout is the availability of passing triangles. From the graphic above, when players move, you can clearly see how passing channels are open via movement. A player always has passing options available to him and the side swamp the opponent in central midfield. In such a tightly congested area, the side with the greater technical proficiency will domainate as they find team mates with short, sharp passes. This will be a Pellegrini side. The positions are not fixed either. The right interiore will move across if play is stationed wide on the left (and vice versa). The team is compact and the opponent is squeezed.
A similar philosophy developed at Malaga although the formation began to shift. In defence, the commanding presence of Demichellis took control alongside Weligton. Both full backs were comfortable moving up the pitch but this is where the dynamic began to alter. The defensive unit was sound but in the attacking third there was a great deal of fluidity offered:-
Malaga 4-4-2 Formation
Eliseu on the left of midfield is a converted left back and operated more like a wing back, shuttling up and down. On the right, Isco would drive in centrally allowing the full back to overlap. Together, they would combine with Joaquin who was the striker but was beginning in a deeper position.
Pellegrini is not a coach who will instruct his side to press high and chase and harass an opponent. The Villarreal side had a South American feel to it with the tempo which they played the game and the individual components of the side. The side don’t rush to attack. It is structured, cautious, with the team moving as a coherent unit. His sides can defend resolutely as the performances in Europe of both Villarreal and Malaga demonstrated when a reactive approach was favoured allowing opponents to take the initiative.
If that’s how he operated previously, how he will operate at City remains to be seen, particularly when it appears he has been charged with implementing a 4-3-3.
With his ability to utilise the creative talents of a playmaker, David Silva could find himself in a central role in the season ahead. Silva is not the quickest player in physical terms but that will not dissuade Pellegrini from constructing the side around his creative talents if necessary.
Using full backs for width is something which City have done to date.
It’s also something that has become something of an Achilles heel for them with teams exploiting the space on transitions particularly given Barry’s immobility and reluctance to be pulled wide to cover. This is an area which must be tackled. Using two defensive midfield players will assist this but possibly not Yaya Toure. Indeed, how the Ivorian fits into the system will be a crucial element. Does he have the discipline to operate in a purely defensive fashion?
Does that suit his talent best?
The defence should be straightforward with Kompany the ideal individual to use as the central starting block. Alongside him may be Nastasic with Zabaleta and Clichy as full backs. In midfield, the three could be Fernandinho, Toure and Silva. City continue to be linked with Isco from Malaga and it’s not inconceivable to field an attacking trio of Isco, Silva and Navas behind Aguero as the central striker.
Such a set up would provide an asymetrical formation with width on the right against narrow approach on the left and it would also need to combat the lack of defensive cover that Navas offers. Whatever formation is utilised, expect City to be more resolute defensively and more fluid in the attacking third. There will be a clear template to use when defending and flexibility when attacking.
Questions will remain over the long term futures of the likes of Milner, Barry, Sinclair, Rodwell, Tevez and Dzeko. An already small English core may be depleted further. Actually, it is a real possiblity that the only Englishman that City will field on a regular basis next season will be Joe Hart in goal. Such a scenario is not City’ s problem in the short term at least, but it again raises questions over the technical and tactical profiency of English players.
The More Things Change
“No one ever asked me anything about how to create a team capable of playing the kind of football I wanted to play”
The manner in which Mancini departed to be replaced by Pellegrini would be very familiar to the Chilean. A little too familiar perhaps. Similar circumstances prevailed back in 2010 when Pellegrini departed Real Madrid after just one season to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Pellegrini spent one season at Madrid when he spent a small fortune and achieved the princely sum of zero. Or so the story goes. Scratch a little deeper than your average tabloid journalist and you’ll find the real story.
When Pellegrini arrived at Madrid , over £200m was already spent and in some respects he was already living on borrowed time. He had no say in the players that were acquired by the club. What he did have a say in was the players he would like to retain and build his side around. Players such as Arjen Robben and Welsey Sneijder. Two players who were subsequently sold within days of Pellegrini arriving against his will.
It was clear for Pelleginri where the problems lay:-
“I can’t get anything out of an orchestra if I have the 10 best guitarists but I don’t have a pianist or a drummer”
The squad was unbalanced for the tasks ahead yet his viewpoint was ignored.
And for those who would argue if he had won trophies, he would not have been dismissed, consider exhibit A; Vicente del Bosque. Sacked after delivering two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in just three seasons. Pellegrini was the choice of the former Sporting Director, Jorge Valdano, a man who has clear identity when it comes to football. According to Valdano, Pellegrini was a “protagonist; he seeks to dominate possession and always attack”. Perez simply wanted a manager who would win and Pellegrini was not a “winner” but nor was Perez either. He had overseen the collection of zero trophies during his reign as President. Pellegrini was not Perez choice and favoured some players acquired by the previous President. It really was that petty at times.
Madrid spent £258 million prior to Pellegrini arriving with President Perez noting “We have to do in one year what we would normally do in three“, an idea that is at odds with the philosophy of the then incumbent in the managerial hot seat. Despite noting that he had begun laying the foundation for success which included dealing with the heavyweights in the dressing room in the shape of Guti and Raul, the Chilean was axed.
Pellegrini may only have managed Real Madrid for 48 games but he had a win percentage of 75%, which is 3% higher than a certain Chelsea manager.
“I’d like to congratulate Real Madrid , fantastic opponents and without whom we would never have reached 99 points. Pellegrini and his players have dignified our professions”
The words of Guardiola after his Barcelona side claimed the La Liga title on the final day of the season over their arch rivals. Sentiments which were not shared by those inside the Madrid boardroom.
The Engineer Who Constructs
“To be able to build up a club, this is as important as going to an institution where you will be able to win things”
When you hear Pellegrini speak, the same themes appear consistently. The need to build, to construct a long term solution and to play aesthetically, but ultimately successful, football in the process. This is not necessarily all out attacking football. It’s considered, it’s patient but it is football with a clear personality.
Upon taking control of Malaga , he noted:-
”I’m not interested in external ego but internal satisfaction. I’m not interested just in easy glory but in constructing something….together we are trying to build a project that is not just short term”
And that really encapsulates his overarching footballing philosophy. Why buy to acquire success if it’s short lived or unsustainable? The creation of a lengthy period of dominance fuelled by both acquisitions and the promotion of youth players from within the club must be the ideal goal. This is what the neighbours from across the city achieved under Ferguson . Players from within being promoted to the first team and supplementing quality acquisitions and it led, after a slow start, to a period of dominance which is arguably unparalleled in the English game.
Pellegrini seeks to bring footballers with human qualities to his sides and he too displays the very same qualities he desires in others. Urbane, likeable and fairly laidback, he won’t make great copy for journalists at press conferences as he acts with a professionalism and dignity that doesn’t make headlines. The manner in which he handled the constant sniping and undermining at Real Madrid is testimony to his character, as is the manner in which he has refused to be drawn in ever since whenever his Malaga side has faced los blancos.
And now, as he heads for Manchester , Pellegrini retains the same desire to continue building, acknowledging the need for a solution both on and off the pitch. The manner in which some sections of the media questioned City for claiming the need for a “holistic” solution when terminating Mancini’s contract will start to look more questionable by the day. The club have a manager who shares the ideals being espoused at boardroom level.
Upon his appointment, he noted:-
“The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution.”
Departures All Round?
It’s been plain to see where the problems lie in the Manchester City side over the past few seasons. Mancini favoured a very central approach with both wide attacking players operating as inverted wingers. This relied upon the full backs to provide width. The acquisition of Jesus Navas from Sevilla represents a departure from this viewpoint and provides a much needed tactical variation in the side’s attacking play.
And just as there have been critics of Pellegrini, there are those who are rushing to criticise Navas. Let’s be clear, the player does have his flaws. He didn’t score a single goal for Sevilla last season and his shooting has always been very poor. But that’s not why you acquire someone like Navas. You acquire him for his blistering pace and very direct nature. His repeated desire to attack the opposition full back on the outside is why you buy him. To stretch opponents defences. His presence on the touchline forces the full back out and creates gaps in a back four. The sort of gaps that a player such as David Silva can exploit.
Yet, just as Navas marks a departure for Man City and the players they have acquired, it also represents a change for Pellegrini who has rarely used wingers until he arrived at Malaga and found Joaquin. Once the golden boy of Spanish football, its fair comment to state that Joaquin never reached the heights he should have. Yet under Pellegrini in Andalusia , the winger has been reinvented as a central striker who can pull wide. And Joaquin now plays with the same smile and level of infectiousness last seen during his early days at Real Betis.
Joaquin began to operate as the second striker, cutting in from the right with a slightly deeper starting position (as shown on the diagram above) and able to drive at opponents. Freed from the shackles of defensive responsibility that comes with being a right winger, Joaquin prospered. Yet he cites Pellegrini for his both his tactical and non tactical work:-
“Everyone knows Pellegrini’s philosophy and his history but he’s a guy who gives you so much confidence, who acts with so much humility that, somehow, he always gets the best out of every player: he is the central piece in this jigsaw”
How Pellegrini uses a player such as Navas will be pivotal if City is to confront their problems from last season and present opponents with new questions.
Season 2013/14 Engineering City
Of course, none of this means Pellegrini will storm the Premiership and help City regain the title from Man Utd. His appointment simply means that the hierarchy have employed an individual who shares their visions and ideals. Progress may not be immediately obvious nor will it be solely assessed by results. Clearly, a disastrous season would have repercussions, but a trophyless season may not. Projects as ambitious as this take time.
The club have begun with the acquisitions of Navas and the Brazilian midfielder, Fernandinho. Although Begiristain will be overseeing transfer dealings, Pellegrini will have an input there too as the club build a squad capable of playing the 4-3-3 formation that they have chosen as their default.
The plans have been drawn up and the various appointments have been made. It’s time for the Engineer to start building.
Mods; if that is too long. Here is the website, <a class="postlink" href="http://chalkontheboots.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/engineering-change/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://chalkontheboots.wordpress.com/20 ... ng-change/</a>
Expensive Indulgence
A side in the north of England attempting to mimic a club on the coast of Spain ? This is an ego trip fuelled by the extravagance of owners whose wealth knows no bounds. This is vanity, which is how a number in the media may interpret it, poised to print the pre-written obituary of Pellegrini and others when the bricks come tumbling down. And the bricks may well come tumbling down but that should not disguise the clear strategy that Man City has and which they are following.
The comparisons with Spain (and ultimately Barcelona) are inevitable when City have appointed men like Ferran Soriano Compte and Aitor ‘Txiki’ Begiristain Mujik, both of whom are previous employees of the Catalan side. Begiristain was the man responsible for the appointment of Josep Guardiola as the new Coach of Barcelona back in 2008 when others on the Board felt Mourinho was a better fit for the side.
In attempting to construct a new philosophy at the club, it’s unavoidable to an extent that you will turn to men who had helped you in the past and who share your vision. That’s why City was interested, along with other elite sides, of appointing Guardiola as their new Coach. When it was confirmed that Guardiola would move elsewhere, City needed an alternative. Somebody who would fit with their vision for the club over the longer term and who would mould the side on the pitch accordingly. It was no surprise that Begiristain returned to La Liga nor was it that surprising that Pellegrini was his chosen candidate.
The club now aim to install a possession based, attacking game across the board. Each level of the club will follow the same model. The ultimate goal is to be both successful and to complement the first team with players developed by the club. Manual Pellegrini has been tasked with the early stages of construction. He is highly unlikely to be around once construction is complete but the stage from initial project inception to laying the foundations correctly can often be the most difficult aspect.
Manuel Pellegrini
The following season would witness Villarreal reaching the semi final of the Champions League. Riquelme’s missed penalty late in the second leg enabled Arsenal to progress to the final via a 1-0 aggregate win. This remains the furthest stage a team debuting in the competition has reached.
Domestically, the high point for the Chilean arrived in 2007/08 when Villarreal finished second to Real Madrid in La Liga. Villarreal remain the last side to split the big two in Spain , an accomplishment which should not be degraded. In a country where finishing third will earn you less TV income than a side being relegated from the Premiership, the financial disparity between the big two and the remainder should not be underestimated. The gap was bridged and that too by the production of stylish football.
Yet this relative “success” was built upon the back of President Roig’s generosity. When things went bad, Pellegrini - who had overseen the good times – had long since abandoned ship. Right?
Roig’s business began encountering financial problems at the onset of the recession, with the housing crash in Spain causing particular problems. This forced Villarreal to begin following a new financial model. Pellegrini had long since gone by the time of their relegation. As for the spending, Pellegrini’s net spend at Villarreal was just £11million.
At Malaga , he arrived to oversee a new project being built upon Middle Eastern riches. Except the money tap was quickly switched off and Malaga endured a series of financial problems which required the offloading of numerous players whilst others waited for wages. The Engineer repaired the team to ensure progression to the quarter finals of the Champions League (the second furthest stage a team debuting in the competition has reached) and a 6th placed league finish. Pellegrini’s net spend at Malaga was just £16million. When the left back Monreal was sold to Arsenal in the winter transfer window and with the alternative left back Eliseu injured, the club acquired Antunes on loan from Pacos in Portugal . A new component for the team who fitted in seamlessly. It’s not about the money he has to spend. It’s about the qualities of the players both on and off the pitch.
“We wanted players with sufficient maturity, with human qualities as well as footballing ones that can help”
Pellegrini Tactically
“To be attacking, to try to tale control of the game, to take responsibility, to be attractive. There are small differences of course, depending on what players you have, but there is a footballing concept and a concept of spectacle that is non-negotiable”
Pellegrini has used a variety of tactical set ups during his time at Villarreal, Madrid and Malaga, ranging from 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1. But it has been with his 4-4-2 at both Villarreal and Malaga that his sides have often produced the best football. That may sound unusual given how we are constantly told the 4-4-2 is an entirely reactive formation, not to say an almost redundant formation at the top level, yet Pellegrini has it operating in the latter stages of the Champions League. How?
At Villarreal he moved from a 4-3-1-2 capable of utilising the skills of a classic South American style playmaker such as Riquelme and latterly Matias Fernandez to a 4-4-2 using interiores. His final season at Villarreal primarily used the 4-4-2 as shown below:-
Villarreal 4-4-2 Formation
Pellegrini has always used a flat back four. The defensive unit is always well marshalled by a dominant centre half. When an opponent attacks, the defensive line, which is normally high, will drop off to the edge of the penalty area before holding firm. The offside trap is used to good effect. At Villarreal the central defensive pairing of Godin and Gonzalo were physically robust and the full backs of Javi Venta and Capdevila able to move up and down the wings.
The two defensive midfield players stay deep to offer protection and to pull wide should the opposition attack behind either full back. This provides security but is not entirely defensive. The players must also be able to build and construct play. At Villarreal, Marcos Senna was tasked with this role.
The two wide midfield players cut in centrally to form a block of four in the centre of the pitch with the full backs advancing to provide the width. They move into the interior, hence the name “interiores”. Crucially, the two wide players must return to position for defensive duties. The two forward players meanwhile are capable of pulling wide, creating space centrally which can be attacked. Pellegrini was able to use the mobility of either Giuseppe Rossi or Nihat alongside the presence of a more powerful, physical striker such as Joseba Llorente.
The key point throughout is the availability of passing triangles. From the graphic above, when players move, you can clearly see how passing channels are open via movement. A player always has passing options available to him and the side swamp the opponent in central midfield. In such a tightly congested area, the side with the greater technical proficiency will domainate as they find team mates with short, sharp passes. This will be a Pellegrini side. The positions are not fixed either. The right interiore will move across if play is stationed wide on the left (and vice versa). The team is compact and the opponent is squeezed.
A similar philosophy developed at Malaga although the formation began to shift. In defence, the commanding presence of Demichellis took control alongside Weligton. Both full backs were comfortable moving up the pitch but this is where the dynamic began to alter. The defensive unit was sound but in the attacking third there was a great deal of fluidity offered:-
Malaga 4-4-2 Formation
Eliseu on the left of midfield is a converted left back and operated more like a wing back, shuttling up and down. On the right, Isco would drive in centrally allowing the full back to overlap. Together, they would combine with Joaquin who was the striker but was beginning in a deeper position.
Pellegrini is not a coach who will instruct his side to press high and chase and harass an opponent. The Villarreal side had a South American feel to it with the tempo which they played the game and the individual components of the side. The side don’t rush to attack. It is structured, cautious, with the team moving as a coherent unit. His sides can defend resolutely as the performances in Europe of both Villarreal and Malaga demonstrated when a reactive approach was favoured allowing opponents to take the initiative.
If that’s how he operated previously, how he will operate at City remains to be seen, particularly when it appears he has been charged with implementing a 4-3-3.
With his ability to utilise the creative talents of a playmaker, David Silva could find himself in a central role in the season ahead. Silva is not the quickest player in physical terms but that will not dissuade Pellegrini from constructing the side around his creative talents if necessary.
Using full backs for width is something which City have done to date.
It’s also something that has become something of an Achilles heel for them with teams exploiting the space on transitions particularly given Barry’s immobility and reluctance to be pulled wide to cover. This is an area which must be tackled. Using two defensive midfield players will assist this but possibly not Yaya Toure. Indeed, how the Ivorian fits into the system will be a crucial element. Does he have the discipline to operate in a purely defensive fashion?
Does that suit his talent best?
The defence should be straightforward with Kompany the ideal individual to use as the central starting block. Alongside him may be Nastasic with Zabaleta and Clichy as full backs. In midfield, the three could be Fernandinho, Toure and Silva. City continue to be linked with Isco from Malaga and it’s not inconceivable to field an attacking trio of Isco, Silva and Navas behind Aguero as the central striker.
Such a set up would provide an asymetrical formation with width on the right against narrow approach on the left and it would also need to combat the lack of defensive cover that Navas offers. Whatever formation is utilised, expect City to be more resolute defensively and more fluid in the attacking third. There will be a clear template to use when defending and flexibility when attacking.
Questions will remain over the long term futures of the likes of Milner, Barry, Sinclair, Rodwell, Tevez and Dzeko. An already small English core may be depleted further. Actually, it is a real possiblity that the only Englishman that City will field on a regular basis next season will be Joe Hart in goal. Such a scenario is not City’ s problem in the short term at least, but it again raises questions over the technical and tactical profiency of English players.
The More Things Change
“No one ever asked me anything about how to create a team capable of playing the kind of football I wanted to play”
The manner in which Mancini departed to be replaced by Pellegrini would be very familiar to the Chilean. A little too familiar perhaps. Similar circumstances prevailed back in 2010 when Pellegrini departed Real Madrid after just one season to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Pellegrini spent one season at Madrid when he spent a small fortune and achieved the princely sum of zero. Or so the story goes. Scratch a little deeper than your average tabloid journalist and you’ll find the real story.
When Pellegrini arrived at Madrid , over £200m was already spent and in some respects he was already living on borrowed time. He had no say in the players that were acquired by the club. What he did have a say in was the players he would like to retain and build his side around. Players such as Arjen Robben and Welsey Sneijder. Two players who were subsequently sold within days of Pellegrini arriving against his will.
It was clear for Pelleginri where the problems lay:-
“I can’t get anything out of an orchestra if I have the 10 best guitarists but I don’t have a pianist or a drummer”
The squad was unbalanced for the tasks ahead yet his viewpoint was ignored.
And for those who would argue if he had won trophies, he would not have been dismissed, consider exhibit A; Vicente del Bosque. Sacked after delivering two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in just three seasons. Pellegrini was the choice of the former Sporting Director, Jorge Valdano, a man who has clear identity when it comes to football. According to Valdano, Pellegrini was a “protagonist; he seeks to dominate possession and always attack”. Perez simply wanted a manager who would win and Pellegrini was not a “winner” but nor was Perez either. He had overseen the collection of zero trophies during his reign as President. Pellegrini was not Perez choice and favoured some players acquired by the previous President. It really was that petty at times.
Madrid spent £258 million prior to Pellegrini arriving with President Perez noting “We have to do in one year what we would normally do in three“, an idea that is at odds with the philosophy of the then incumbent in the managerial hot seat. Despite noting that he had begun laying the foundation for success which included dealing with the heavyweights in the dressing room in the shape of Guti and Raul, the Chilean was axed.
Pellegrini may only have managed Real Madrid for 48 games but he had a win percentage of 75%, which is 3% higher than a certain Chelsea manager.
“I’d like to congratulate Real Madrid , fantastic opponents and without whom we would never have reached 99 points. Pellegrini and his players have dignified our professions”
The words of Guardiola after his Barcelona side claimed the La Liga title on the final day of the season over their arch rivals. Sentiments which were not shared by those inside the Madrid boardroom.
The Engineer Who Constructs
“To be able to build up a club, this is as important as going to an institution where you will be able to win things”
When you hear Pellegrini speak, the same themes appear consistently. The need to build, to construct a long term solution and to play aesthetically, but ultimately successful, football in the process. This is not necessarily all out attacking football. It’s considered, it’s patient but it is football with a clear personality.
Upon taking control of Malaga , he noted:-
”I’m not interested in external ego but internal satisfaction. I’m not interested just in easy glory but in constructing something….together we are trying to build a project that is not just short term”
And that really encapsulates his overarching footballing philosophy. Why buy to acquire success if it’s short lived or unsustainable? The creation of a lengthy period of dominance fuelled by both acquisitions and the promotion of youth players from within the club must be the ideal goal. This is what the neighbours from across the city achieved under Ferguson . Players from within being promoted to the first team and supplementing quality acquisitions and it led, after a slow start, to a period of dominance which is arguably unparalleled in the English game.
Pellegrini seeks to bring footballers with human qualities to his sides and he too displays the very same qualities he desires in others. Urbane, likeable and fairly laidback, he won’t make great copy for journalists at press conferences as he acts with a professionalism and dignity that doesn’t make headlines. The manner in which he handled the constant sniping and undermining at Real Madrid is testimony to his character, as is the manner in which he has refused to be drawn in ever since whenever his Malaga side has faced los blancos.
And now, as he heads for Manchester , Pellegrini retains the same desire to continue building, acknowledging the need for a solution both on and off the pitch. The manner in which some sections of the media questioned City for claiming the need for a “holistic” solution when terminating Mancini’s contract will start to look more questionable by the day. The club have a manager who shares the ideals being espoused at boardroom level.
Upon his appointment, he noted:-
“The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution.”
Departures All Round?
It’s been plain to see where the problems lie in the Manchester City side over the past few seasons. Mancini favoured a very central approach with both wide attacking players operating as inverted wingers. This relied upon the full backs to provide width. The acquisition of Jesus Navas from Sevilla represents a departure from this viewpoint and provides a much needed tactical variation in the side’s attacking play.
And just as there have been critics of Pellegrini, there are those who are rushing to criticise Navas. Let’s be clear, the player does have his flaws. He didn’t score a single goal for Sevilla last season and his shooting has always been very poor. But that’s not why you acquire someone like Navas. You acquire him for his blistering pace and very direct nature. His repeated desire to attack the opposition full back on the outside is why you buy him. To stretch opponents defences. His presence on the touchline forces the full back out and creates gaps in a back four. The sort of gaps that a player such as David Silva can exploit.
Yet, just as Navas marks a departure for Man City and the players they have acquired, it also represents a change for Pellegrini who has rarely used wingers until he arrived at Malaga and found Joaquin. Once the golden boy of Spanish football, its fair comment to state that Joaquin never reached the heights he should have. Yet under Pellegrini in Andalusia , the winger has been reinvented as a central striker who can pull wide. And Joaquin now plays with the same smile and level of infectiousness last seen during his early days at Real Betis.
Joaquin began to operate as the second striker, cutting in from the right with a slightly deeper starting position (as shown on the diagram above) and able to drive at opponents. Freed from the shackles of defensive responsibility that comes with being a right winger, Joaquin prospered. Yet he cites Pellegrini for his both his tactical and non tactical work:-
“Everyone knows Pellegrini’s philosophy and his history but he’s a guy who gives you so much confidence, who acts with so much humility that, somehow, he always gets the best out of every player: he is the central piece in this jigsaw”
How Pellegrini uses a player such as Navas will be pivotal if City is to confront their problems from last season and present opponents with new questions.
Season 2013/14 Engineering City
Of course, none of this means Pellegrini will storm the Premiership and help City regain the title from Man Utd. His appointment simply means that the hierarchy have employed an individual who shares their visions and ideals. Progress may not be immediately obvious nor will it be solely assessed by results. Clearly, a disastrous season would have repercussions, but a trophyless season may not. Projects as ambitious as this take time.
The club have begun with the acquisitions of Navas and the Brazilian midfielder, Fernandinho. Although Begiristain will be overseeing transfer dealings, Pellegrini will have an input there too as the club build a squad capable of playing the 4-3-3 formation that they have chosen as their default.
The plans have been drawn up and the various appointments have been made. It’s time for the Engineer to start building.
Mods; if that is too long. Here is the website, <a class="postlink" href="http://chalkontheboots.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/engineering-change/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://chalkontheboots.wordpress.com/20 ... ng-change/</a>
woolleyback blue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 18 Dec 2008
- Messages
- 951
Reading that long and very interesting post about Pellegrini, 2 things struck me.
One is his adaptability with regard to the players he has managed at the various clubs. He seems to have changed his formations and his style to suit the players and to get the best out of them. I know there's other topics about which players we need to get rid of ( Dzeko and Nasri being the 2 main targets) and which we need to buy but reading that post it looks like Pellegrini will be looking more to how he can get the best out of them rather than selling them on.
Secondly is his man management skills. I haven't heard a bad word about his management style, in fact just the opposite. If he is "The Engineer" who can fix City and get the team running like a Rolls Royce then we've got a gem. Will we win anything next season? Maybe not, but if in that time the seeds are sown for a period of domination I for one will be well satisfied.
One is his adaptability with regard to the players he has managed at the various clubs. He seems to have changed his formations and his style to suit the players and to get the best out of them. I know there's other topics about which players we need to get rid of ( Dzeko and Nasri being the 2 main targets) and which we need to buy but reading that post it looks like Pellegrini will be looking more to how he can get the best out of them rather than selling them on.
Secondly is his man management skills. I haven't heard a bad word about his management style, in fact just the opposite. If he is "The Engineer" who can fix City and get the team running like a Rolls Royce then we've got a gem. Will we win anything next season? Maybe not, but if in that time the seeds are sown for a period of domination I for one will be well satisfied.
BosnianDragon
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 19 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 194
Manuel seems to be best choice for MC. He will probably lead MC to next level