There has been a huge amount of speculation about summer acquisitions since Manchester City once again went out of The Champions League earlier than they would have liked.
Manchester City are more constrained in terms of transfers since the new FFP regulations kicked in but they will be expected to move several big hitters out in order to overhaul their squad in the summer.
But perhaps the biggest change will be at the top. We think that Manuel Pellegrini is a man of real substance who has done a great job at the club. It’s impossible to win titles every year in a league this competitive and he doesn’t deserve the sack this summer.
But the top brass at Manchester City are in a hurry to get to the top table of European football and they may well decide that a new coach is required this summer.
You would struggle, at this point, to find a better replacement than Diego Simeone. He doesn’t have any Premier League experience but we don’t think that would have much of a bearing on his success in this league. He’s young, hungry and already has great experience in The Champions League. His Madrid side won La Liga and came within a minute of taking The Champions League too.
We think that, on their day, Manchester City are still the best side in the land. But, if they lack anything, it’s that extra bit of resolve to get through games when the backs are against the wall – the nous and grit to succeed even when they are being out-footballed by the likes of Barcelona.
If any coach can generate team spirit and ‘never say die’ attitude, it’s Simeone. He creates such unity in his teams that they become almost impossible to beat.
Some coaches find their niche at teams with limited budgets. But we think that Simeone would be just as good with the pick of playing talent from around the world and he must surely be a strong candidate to succeed Pellegrini if the Manchester City board decide to pull the plug on their current manager in the summer.
Manchester City fans: stick or twist with Pellegrini?
