Well done boss

[Lancet Fluke]

Who has a better squad?

No you you don't understand, we don't have by far the best squad, we just have the best squad. Which is why scrapping for fourth is fine. If we had by far the best squad, we'd probably be second.

 

[halfcenturyup]

That's exactly how I see it. He isn't being judged on his merits alone. The situation or rather the impending employment of Pep has made his job different to most.

I believe we'll work in cycles and every manager from now on in will be judged on what happens on the field.

If you're a Pellegrini fan, he's done a decent job, not good, decent job under the circumstances. If you don't like him, the circumstances are why he's still in a job.

This has been interesting in a roundabout way, but a question. If we are to be working in three-year cycles, isn't any manager "temporary" as you describe it? He will know he is out in three years in the same way Pellegrini is. He will know he can't impose himself on development because there must be continuity. I am not arguing that Pellegrini wasn't to be here just three years, just that is the MO from now on if you believe the management-speak. So no Simeone ever, for example?

 

[Rolee]

No you you don't understand, we don't have by far the best squad, we just have the best squad. Which is why scrapping for fourth is fine. If we had by far the best squad, we'd probably be second.

No, we have arguably the best squad.

That said, reading the player threads on here that's a bit of a stretch considering at least half of the squad is shit so I don't know how strong an argument there is.

 

[Chippy_boy]

That's exactly how I see it. He isn't being judged on his merits alone. The situation or rather the impending employment of Pep has made his job different to most.

I believe we'll work in cycles and every manager from now on in will be judged on what happens on the field.

If you're a Pellegrini fan, he's done a decent job, not good, decent job under the circumstances. If you don't like him, the circumstances are why he's still in a job.

In saying "he's done a decent job", I don't think you adequately factor in how we play now, vs how we used to play before he started dismantling all the good work done over the previous 3 seasons. Results aside, we are a shadow of the team he took over and for that reason alone, he should have been sacked sooner.

From winning 18, drawing 1 at home. To how many defeats at home this season? Fucking disgraceful. Didn't Mourinho go about 8 years or something daft without losing a home game? We can't manage 8 weeks.

Well done boss, my arse.

 

[Shaelumstash]

Would Simeone take a job when he knew the club would replace him the moment their man was available?

It's simple, why has Pellegrini not been sacked?

You've listed countless examples of his failings. It's hard to argue that he been anything other than average.
He's ignored youth, played his mates.
By all accounts he's been a 'total failure'.

So why no sacking?

We all know why there's been no sacking. He was sacked before he started, he's always been, he always known and the club has always known, he's nothing more than a stop gap.

If I'm wrong and Pellegrini is being judged as anyother manager would be, judged on his signings, his tactics, his ability to work with youth then Txiki is the fucking clown.

If I'm right, then it's the reason he's still in a job.

Finally we're getting somewhere.

For what it's worth, my own personal view of what has happened is this:

Sorriano wanted to replace Mancini with Guardiola in summer 2012.

Around Easter time when The Shite went 8 points in front, high level talks were held with Guardiola. He informally agreed to join in summer 2012.

Then Aguerooooooooo happened, and it was impossible for them to sack Mancini.

Guardiola said he was going on sabbatical to New York for a year, but that he would still be interested in joining for the 2013/14 season.

In summer 2012 Mancini wanted to strengthen the squad, rebuild. He wanted a new striker (Van Persie) a new central midfielder (Daniel De Rossi) and a new winger (Pjanic).

In summer 2012 the club cut back on spending, and Brian Marwood instead bought no striker, Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair.

The 2012/13 season was an unmitigated disaster, which by pure coincidence I'm sure, made it easier to replace Mancini at the end of the season.

Talks were held with Guardiola late in 2012 about him coming the following season.

Pep had numerous offers, all very attractive. He agonised over it, then decided he was going to Bayern.

Guardiola informally gave his word to his old friends at the club that City would be his next job.

Going in to 2013, Mancini was increasingly abrasive as he felt he had been hung out to dry. The very same striker he had wanted to buy was busy winning the league for the mob over the road, and Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair were proving to be diabolical.

Heading in to Spring 2013 the club realised they had fucked up. They had tried to hang Mancini out to dry in order to land Guardiola. It had backfired. Guardiola was off to Munich and Mancini was falling out with everyone at the club from the tea lady to the Director of Football.

The club knew they needed to replace Mancini in the summer because the relationship between him and the Txiki boys had become toxic. So they began looking for a new manager.

Despite all of this, Mancini dragged us to the FA Cup final. By pure coincidence, on the morning of the game the entire British national press caught wind that we were replacing Mancini with Pellegrini.

Pure coincidence that the club wanted to avoid what had happened in 2012, we lost the FA Cup final.

Pellegrini was appointed in summer 2013 on a 3 year contract.

He was no doubt informed that Guardiola had given his word that City would be his next club, but he was assured that he would serve the full 3 years, possibly 4 if things worked out that way.

We went big in the transfer market bought a new striker (Negredo) a new centre mid (Fernandinho) and a new winger (Navas) by pure coincidence, the three positions Mancini had wanted to strengthen the season before.

Pellegrini won the league in 2013/14, everybody happy, plan on track.

He was an absolute disaster in 2014/15.

In summer 2015 the club held serious discussions about replacing Pellegrini. Txiki spoke with his friend Guardiola, he said he was still committed to coming to City, but hadn't decided whether to stay in Munich one or two seasons more.

The club weighed up the possibility of sacking Pellegrini and bringing another coach in.

They decided instead, give Pellegrini a one year extension (with a break clause) and go balls deep in the transfer market. That way, surely even Pellegrini couldn't fuck it up too badly, we should win the league easily.

By late 2015 it turned out we weren't winning the league easily, in fact we were going backwards.

After the Juventus game, Txiki flew out to Munich to get a final answer from Guardiola.

He said he needed a definitive answer, "Either you come in summer 2016 or we have to make a different appointment, we can't carry on much longer with Pellegrini"

The answer was he would come in 2016, so it made sense to keep Pellegrini in the job until the end of the season, no point getting someone else in for 6 months.

May 2016 City won the Champions League in Milan and a statue of Manuel Pellegrini is erected in St Anne's Square.

 

[MSM]

Finally we're getting somewhere.

For what it's worth, my own personal view of what has happened is this:

Sorriano wanted to replace Mancini with Guardiola in summer 2012.

Around Easter time when The Shite went 8 points in front, high level talks were held with Guardiola. He informally agreed to join in summer 2012.

Then Aguerooooooooo happened, and it was impossible for them to sack Mancini.

Guardiola said he was going on sabbatical to New York for a year, but that he would still be interested in joining for the 2013/14 season.

In summer 2012 Mancini wanted to strengthen the squad, rebuild. He wanted a new striker (Van Persie) a new central midfielder (Daniel De Rossi) and a new winger (Pjanic).

In summer 2012 the club cut back on spending, and Brian Marwood instead bought no striker, Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair.

The 2012/13 season was an unmitigated disaster, which by pure coincidence I'm sure, made it easier to replace Mancini at the end of the season.

Talks were held with Guardiola late in 2012 about him coming the following season.

Pep had numerous offers, all very attractive. He agonised over it, then decided he was going to Bayern.

Guardiola informally gave his word to his old friends at the club that City would be his next job.

Going in to 2013, Mancini was increasingly abrasive as he felt he had been hung out to dry. The very same striker he had wanted to buy was busy winning the league for the mob over the road, and Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair were proving to be diabolical.

Heading in to Spring 2013 the club realised they had fucked up. They had tried to hang Mancini out to dry in order to land Guardiola. It had backfired. Guardiola was off to Munich and Mancini was falling out with everyone at the club from the tea lady to the Director of Football.

The club knew they needed to replace Mancini in the summer because the relationship between him and the Txiki boys had become toxic. So they began looking for a new manager.

Despite all of this, Mancini dragged us to the FA Cup final. By pure coincidence, on the morning of the game the entire British national press caught wind that we were replacing Mancini with Pellegrini.

Pure coincidence that the club wanted to avoid what had happened in 2012, we lost the FA Cup final.

Pellegrini was appointed in summer 2013 on a 3 year contract.

He was no doubt informed that Guardiola had given his word that City would be his next club, but he was assured that he would serve the full 3 years, possibly 4 if things worked out that way.

He won the league in 2013/14, everybody happy, plan on track.

He was an absolute disaster in 2014/15.

In summer 2015 the club held serious discussions about replacing Pellegrini. Txiki spoke with his friend Guardiola, he said he was still committed to coming to City, but hadn't decided whether to stay in Munich one or two seasons more.

The club weighed up the possibility of sacking Pellegrini and bringing another coach in.

They decided instead, give Pellegrini a one year extension (with a break clause) and go balls deep in the transfer market. That way, surely even Pellegrini couldn't fuck it up too badly, we should win the league easily.

By late 2015 it turned out we weren't winning the league easily, in fact we were going backwards.

After the Juventus game, Txiki flew out to Munich to get a final answer from Guardiola.

He said he needed a definitive answer, "Either you come in summer 2016 or we have to make a different appointment, we can't carry on much longer with Pellegrini"

The answer was he would come in 2016, so it made sense to keep Pellegrini in the job until the end of the season, no point getting someone else in for 6 months.

May 2016 City won the Champions League in Milan and a statue of Manuel Pellegrini is erected in St Anne's Square.

Bravo sir!

 

[schfc6]

This has been interesting in a roundabout way, but a question. If we are to be working in three-year cycles, isn't any manager "temporary" as you describe it? He will know he is out in three years in the same way Pellegrini is. He will know he can't impose himself on development because there must be continuity. I am not arguing that Pellegrini wasn't to be here just three years, just that is the MO from now on if you believe the management-speak. So no Simeone ever, for example?

Obviously all managers are temporary. Even Ferguson in the grand scheme of things.

My meaning of Pellegrini being temporary isn't that of the traditional meaning. All managers are employed on a contract. Only Woodwood would offer a 6 year deal.

Pellegrini is the only manger to my Knowledge to be employed with his replacement already sorted.
For me there was never any chance of an extension.
Pep signed a 3 year deal at Bayern, Bayern tried to extend it.

Normally managers sign a contract with a view to extend. I don't think Pellegrini was ever in that position.

The idea of cycles is to keep things fresh, keep players motivated. It could be 2,3,4 years.

 

[schfc6]

In saying "he's done a decent job", I don't think you adequately factor in how we play now, vs how we used to play before he started dismantling all the good work done over the previous 3 seasons. Results aside, we are a shadow of the team he took over and for that reason alone, he should have been sacked sooner.

From winning 18, drawing 1 at home. To how many defeats at home this season? Fucking disgraceful. Didn't Mourinho go about 8 years or something daft without losing a home game? We can't manage 8 weeks.

Well done boss, my arse.

I don't think you get it. If you're saying he's been shit. That's your opinion.

Why in your opinion has he not been sacked?

 

[schfc6]

Finally we're getting somewhere.

For what it's worth, my own personal view of what has happened is this:

Sorriano wanted to replace Mancini with Guardiola in summer 2012.

Around Easter time when The Shite went 8 points in front, high level talks were held with Guardiola. He informally agreed to join in summer 2012.

Then Aguerooooooooo happened, and it was impossible for them to sack Mancini.

Guardiola said he was going on sabbatical to New York for a year, but that he would still be interested in joining for the 2013/14 season.

In summer 2012 Mancini wanted to strengthen the squad, rebuild. He wanted a new striker (Van Persie) a new central midfielder (Daniel De Rossi) and a new winger (Pjanic).

In summer 2012 the club cut back on spending, and Brian Marwood instead bought no striker, Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair.

The 2012/13 season was an unmitigated disaster, which by pure coincidence I'm sure, made it easier to replace Mancini at the end of the season.

Talks were held with Guardiola late in 2012 about him coming the following season.

Pep had numerous offers, all very attractive. He agonised over it, then decided he was going to Bayern.

Guardiola informally gave his word to his old friends at the club that City would be his next job.

Going in to 2013, Mancini was increasingly abrasive as he felt he had been hung out to dry. The very same striker he had wanted to buy was busy winning the league for the mob over the road, and Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair were proving to be diabolical.

Heading in to Spring 2013 the club realised they had fucked up. They had tried to hang Mancini out to dry in order to land Guardiola. It had backfired. Guardiola was off to Munich and Mancini was falling out with everyone at the club from the tea lady to the Director of Football.

The club knew they needed to replace Mancini in the summer because the relationship between him and the Txiki boys had become toxic. So they began looking for a new manager.

Despite all of this, Mancini dragged us to the FA Cup final. By pure coincidence, on the morning of the game the entire British national press caught wind that we were replacing Mancini with Pellegrini.

Pure coincidence that the club wanted to avoid what had happened in 2012, we lost the FA Cup final.

Pellegrini was appointed in summer 2013 on a 3 year contract.

He was no doubt informed that Guardiola had given his word that City would be his next club, but he was assured that he would serve the full 3 years, possibly 4 if things worked out that way.

He won the league in 2013/14, everybody happy, plan on track.

He was an absolute disaster in 2014/15.

In summer 2015 the club held serious discussions about replacing Pellegrini. Txiki spoke with his friend Guardiola, he said he was still committed to coming to City, but hadn't decided whether to stay in Munich one or two seasons more.

The club weighed up the possibility of sacking Pellegrini and bringing another coach in.

They decided instead, give Pellegrini a one year extension (with a break clause) and go balls deep in the transfer market. That way, surely even Pellegrini couldn't fuck it up too badly, we should win the league easily.

By late 2015 it turned out we weren't winning the league easily, in fact we were going backwards.

After the Juventus game, Txiki flew out to Munich to get a final answer from Guardiola.

He said he needed a definitive answer, "Either you come in summer 2016 or we have to make a different appointment, we can't carry on much longer with Pellegrini"

The answer was he would come in 2016, so it made sense to keep Pellegrini in the job until the end of the season, no point getting someone else in for 6 months.

May 2016 City won the Champions League in Milan and a statue of Manuel Pellegrini is erected in St Anne's Square.

that's a great post. It's not actually addressed the point though.

Why has he not been sacked earlier?

 

[BillyShears]

No you you don't understand, we don't have by far the best squad, we just have the best squad. Which is why scrapping for fourth is fine. If we had by far the best squad, we'd probably be second.

We don't have the best squad in the league. To say we have "by far" the best squad is laughable nonsense. We went into the season with two senior strikers, one of whom is injury prone. We went into the season with Four central midfield players, three of whom are basically different versions of the same thing. We went into the season with four full backs all of whom are over 30 and have run out of legs.

 

[kismet]

We don't have the best squad in the league. To say we have "by far" the best squad is laughable nonsense. We went into the season with two senior strikers, one of whom is injury prone. We went into the season with Four central midfield players, three of whom are basically different versions of the same thing. We went into the season with four full backs all of whom are over 30 and have run out of legs.

Fair point Billy, but it is a squad that by now should have secured 4th, shouldn't it.?

My big worry is PB's article on the implications financially of not making 4th, there is now more money than ever. If we miss out on the £75M ish then the Sheikh would cover this. However, what a boost to Utd or Pool should they get champs league....I believe they have already been impacted by missing out for a few years and are not spending like they used to. If we miss out on top four then am hoping WHU get it. However shouldn't fourth be a given with our resources ?

 

[Shaelumstash]

that's a great post. It's not actually addressed the point though.

Why has he not been sacked earlier?

Thanks :-) It absolutely addresses the point of why he hasn't been sacked earlier.

He wasn't sacked in his first season because it went well and we won the league.

There was discussions about sacking him at the end of his second season, but instead the club went big in the transfer market in the hope that would see us improve.

It didn't work.

Half way through his third season the club decided he needed to be replaced.

We managed to secure the best manager in the world for the start of the following season.

The club had a choice; sack him and get an interim boss for the last 6 months, or hope that he could act as a steady pair of hands and get us in to the top 4.

They decided on the latter option, and I guess we'll find out over the next 5 weeks whether that proves to be the right decision. I sincerely hope it does!

 

[Chippy_boy]

Thanks :-) It absolutely addresses the point of why he hasn't been sacked earlier.

He wasn't sacked in his first season because it went well and we won the league.

There was discussions about sacking him at the end of his second season, but instead the club went big in the transfer market in the hope that would see us improve.

It didn't work.

Half way through his third season the club decided he needed to be replaced.

We managed to secure the best manager in the world for the start of the following season.

The club had a choice; sack him and get an interim boss for the last 6 months, or hope that he could act as a steady pair of hands and get us in to the top 4.

They decided on the latter option, and I guess we'll find out over the next 5 weeks whether that proves to be the right decision. I sincerely hope it does!

Nail on head.

My biggest concern is that he's going to prioritise the CL above all else, and will play fast and loose with the PL and top 4 spots. I hope we are making it CRYSTAL clear to him that this is not acceptable and using whatever inducements (carrot and stick) necessary to make sure he's on board with that.

 

[BillyShears]

Fair point Billy, but it is a squad that by now should have secured 4th, shouldn't it.?

My big worry is PB's article on the implications financially of not making 4th, there is now more money than ever. If we miss out on the £75M ish then the Sheikh would cover this. However, what a boost to Utd or Pool should they get champs league....I believe they have already been impacted by missing out for a few years and are not spending like they used to. If we miss out on top four then am hoping WHU get it. However shouldn't fourth be a given with our resources ?

Oh definitely. We've fallen miles short of what we should've achieved in terms of a points total this season or performances on the pitch.

 

[BillyShears]

Nail on head.

My biggest concern is that he's going to prioritise the CL above all else, and will play fast and loose with the PL and top 4 spots. I hope we are making it CRYSTAL clear to him that this is not acceptable and using whatever inducements (carrot and stick) necessary to make sure he's on board with that.

You really think we're in a position to be carrot and sticking someone who's already been sacked and knows he's out the door in five or six weeks? I don't. Pellegrini has prioritised the CL all season. It's obvious in the team's performances. I don't think it's suddenly going to change now when we're in the semi's.

 

[Shaelumstash]

Oh definitely. We've fallen miles short of what we should've achieved in terms of a points total this season or performances on the pitch.

Great post, totally agree.

 

[schfc6]

Thanks :-) It absolutely addresses the point of why he hasn't been sacked earlier.

He wasn't sacked in his first season because it went well and we won the league.

There was discussions about sacking him at the end of his second season, but instead the club went big in the transfer market in the hope that would see us improve.

It didn't work.

Half way through his third season the club decided he needed to be replaced.

We managed to secure the best manager in the world for the start of the following season.

The club had a choice; sack him and get an interim boss for the last 6 months, or hope that he could act as a steady pair of hands and get us in to the top 4.

They decided on the latter option, and I guess we'll find out over the next 5 weeks whether that proves to be the right decision. I sincerely hope it does!

Yes, but you know, I know he was told last summer he was off. The incoming players were told a deal for Guardiola had been done. That doesn't suit your timeline story, but it's well known that players and Pellegrini himself knew Gaurdiola was a done deal.

He hasn't been sacked because....... He is a safe pair hands till they get the manager they wanted since stepping through the door. They haven't sacked him because he is and always has been effectively a caretaker.

 

[halfcenturyup]

that's a great post. It's not actually addressed the point though.

Why has he not been sacked earlier?

Maybe the same reason why Hughes wasn't sacked early enough and why Mancini wasn't replaced by Guardiola after winning the PL? Hughes was well on the road to fcuk up when he finally got the boot. Mancini and the management together contrived a situation where he had to get the boot. He still managed to get to a cup final and second place, though. In both cases, the decision wasn't taken early enough, in my opinion. And Pellegrini? Despite the awful performances, he still has a chance of top four which wouldn't be a total disaster given the improvement in Europe (although we will see how much we have actually improved next week) and the fact there is a replacement lined up. Bit of a gamble, though, but I suppose that is why they get paid a lot of money. I imagine the person explaining the Pellegrini situation to the Board is shitting brickloads at the thought of missing out on CL football next year, though.

One last question. You really think Begiristain and Pellegrini have been working on a plan for a seamless transition to Guardiola for the last three years? Because if they have, they have done a piss-poor job of it. The guy will have so much work to do in the first year and if he wants to leave here with any sory of legacy, he will need more than three years in my opinion.

 

[schfc6]

Maybe the same reason why Hughes wasn't sacked early enough and why Mancini wasn't replaced by Guardiola after winning the PL? Hughes was well on the road to fcuk up when he finally got the boot. Mancini and the management together contrived a situation where he had to get the boot. He still managed to get to a cup final and second place, though. In both cases, the decision wasn't taken early enough, in my opinion. And Pellegrini? Despite the awful performances, he still has a chance of top four which wouldn't be a total disaster given the improvement in Europe (although we will see how much we have actually improved next week) and the fact there is a replacement lined up. Bit of a gamble, though, but I suppose that is why they get paid a lot of money. I imagine the person explaining the Pellegrini situation to the Board is shitting brickloads at the thought of missing out on CL football next year, though.

One last question. You really think Begiristain and Pellegrini have been working on a plan for a seamless transition to Guardiola for the last three years? Because if they have, they have done a piss-poor job of it. The guy will have so much work to do in the first year and if he wants to leave here with any sory of legacy, he will need more than three years in my opinion.

I know why he hasn't been sacked. Guardiola's arrival is the reason he's still here. It's the reason he got the job. He got the job knowing the moment Guardiola was available he was out.

Sadly I do think Pellegrini and Txiki have been working towards Pep's arrival. As sadly I think they've done a pretty poor job.

I agree that Pep has one hell of a job on his hands. This is my entire point. Between Pellegrini and Txiki they have done a piss poor job. Guardiola will need to work his socks off and we will have to invest a shed load to achieve what we're hoping.

I'd keep your voice down though, according to many Pellegrini should have walked the league with this squad. They will also conceed that Pep has a big job on. Surely if the only issue is an incompetent manager. Pep will walk the league without needing to spend a penny.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

We don't have the best squad in the league. To say we have "by far" the best squad is laughable nonsense. We went into the season with two senior strikers, one of whom is injury prone. We went into the season with Four central midfield players, three of whom are basically different versions of the same thing. We went into the season with four full backs all of whom are over 30 and have run out of legs.

Which squads do you think are better than ours?