Manuel Pellegrini was yesterday confirmed as the new Manchester City manager, signing a three-year contract following his departure from Malaga.
The Chilean's arrival had been expected for weeks, long enough for him to become well-versed in what City will demand.
Having led Malaga to the last eight of the Champions League last season, Pellegrini was given a clear instruction to improve City's European results alongside a pen with which to scrawl his name at the bottom of his contract. Supporters were riled by the club's decision to sack Roberto Mancini before the end of the season and so gaining a bit of momentum in the Champions League would also help build a rapport.
Mancini had been removed after failing to retain the Barclays Premier League title and wresting the trophy back from city rivals United will also be high on Pellegrini's list. "Everyone knows if you arrive at a club like Manchester City you need to win titles," said the Chilean, who has been replaced at Malaga by Bernd Schuster.
"They were not successful in winning some titles [last season] but I am sure we are going to win maybe the Premier League, the Champions League. We will try to win a lot. My first message is to tell all the supporters they will enjoy the season. I am sure they will enjoy the way our team will play. We will play an attractive, offensive football."
Pellegrini has more than 25 years' of managerial experience in South America and Spain and has taken both Malaga and Villarreal to the latter stages of the Champions League.
He also spent a single season in charge of Real Madrid and is renowned for his man-management ability, an area which the City board had concerns about under Mancini. "I think all my experience will help me," said Pellegrini, simply.
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