City special report: Fact not fiction in Mancini's claim
It was a bold statement, but City manager might be right to say he's the best, writes Stuart Brennan
Roberto Mancini has been in English football long enough to have expected a heap of abuse for making a simple claim.
“In the last 15 months I am the best manager in England,” said the City boss, in response to the unholy clamour about whether he is, or is not, about to get the sack.
Of course City critics, one-eyed fans of other clubs and certain invidious media outlets ‘trimmed’ the quotation slightly, so it appeared that Mancini was suggesting he is the best manager in England, full stop.
Why let the five qualifying words at the start of the sentence ruin the second part, which has led to Mancini being branded ‘arrogant’ and ‘delusional’?
Here is the quote in full, putting it in context: “In the last 15 months I am the best manager in England. Someone says for six months that
Manchester City would change manager, (Pep) Guardiola would come in, and after Guardiola went to Bayern Munich, now another manager.
“I won one Premier League, one FA Cup, one Charity Shield (Community Shield), there is not another manager that’s won like me in the last 15 months. I can do nothing but it is the reality.”
Mancini’s real view on the best manager in the country is documented – he has said more than once that Sir Alex Ferguson, in charge of neighbours United, is the ‘top manager in the world’.
That is disputable, but Ferguson’s record in England bears no comparison, and Mancini would not dispute that.
Mancini also did himself no favours by arbitrarily snatching the ‘15 months’ time-scale out of thin air. Had he given it a little more thought, he might have said 19 months, as the FA Cup triumph to which he referred took place in May, 2011.
But that is a detail. Mancini’s claim to be the best in England over the last 15 months stands up to scrutiny, certainly in terms of trophies won – and that is the bottom line, when it comes to top managers.
Indeed, the only manager who could dispute Mancini’s assertion would be another Italian, Roberto di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to the FA Cup and Champions League – and was sacked within six months, another victim of Roman Abramovich’s crazy revolving door policy.
The other fair way of assessing a manager’s capabilities is to examine his league record over that period.
If you do that, Ferguson comes out on top, due to the fact that United had a better second half to last season than City – despite their dramatic collapse and the drama of the Blues’ final day triumph – and have begun this season much better.
In the 15-month period cited by Mancini, Ferguson has gathered in 17 more points than his rival, and his team has scored 21 goals more, although City have the best defensive record with just 43 conceded.
And it can be argued that Ferguson, with United hot favourites to win the Premier League this season, is well on course to even things up in trophy terms.
Mancini was not inviting this debate. His whole point was that he deserves more respect, as a manager who has won as many trophies as anyone, and that if his position is the subject of speculation, what about managers with lesser records – including Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez, Harry Redknapp and Alan Pardew?
Of course, there are other ways of assessing a manager’s worth, especially in these cynical days where football clubs are business concerns first and foremost, and sporting organisations as an after-thought.
That is why Wenger has lasted for eight years at Arsenal, not because his previous eight years saw him take three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. His longevity in the face of such a lack of silver is down to the fact he has helped Arsenal become financially sound by qualifying for the Champions League every season since 2001.
Mancini is in a slightly different position, in that Sheikh Mansour has not bought City as a money- making exercise, but as a vehicle to carry the delights and achievements of Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world.
That means he is expected to improve City, year on year.
That does not mean, once he has won the Premier League, he has to win it ad infinitem, but that he can show evidence that the club, and the team, are moving in the right direction.
Over the last 15 months, or 19 months, he has done that. MuEN
Pele tells Neymar to pick Barcelona over Manchester City... and stop worrying about his hair
Three-time World Cup winner Pele has urged Neymar to snub any advances from Manchester City and join Barcelona instead.
Brazil's current leading player is expected to leave Santos following the 2014 World Cup, and has been linked with a host of clubs in Europe.
Reports this week have suggested Manchester City will lead the way, and are prepared to pay £55m to acquire the services of the 21-year-old.
However, Pele has told Neymar that the English game would not suit him, and a move to Barcelona in Spain would be a better destination.
"The game is tougher in England, Italy and Germany because the referees usually let play go on. Barcelona would be ideal for him," said Pele.
"Santos need him and for that reason I don't think he should leave but if he must go it should be to Barcelona."
Neymar was a major disappointment when Brazil played England in a friendly at Wembley earlier this month, leading some to question whether he is worthy of all the hype, especially considering he has only every played for one club. Pele is concerned by the amount of attention Neymar receives.
"He is an excellent player but he doesn't have any experience outside Brazil. In every game he plays outside Brazil, he doesn't do well. Everybody thinks Neymar can solve the national team's problems, but he isn't ready for that burden.
"We have a great deal of confidence in him but he has become a regular player for the national team."
Despite doubts over Neymar's elevation to the role of Brazil's saviour, Pele believes the Santos striker has the potential to be among the world's best. However, the Brazil legend took a swipe at Neymar's off-field antics in a clear warning that the youngster must focus on his football if he is to achieve greatness.
"We think that he is the best in the world, but he is more concerned about appearing in the media than playing for the team," Pele said.
"Neymar has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. Right now his major concerns are fashion and his haircut."
Former Manchester City forward Rodney Marsh believes winning the FA Cup will not be enough to keep manager Roberto Mancini in his job. talkSHIT
CITY HUNT NAVAS AND REUS
MANCHESTER City have added Marco Reus and Jesus Navas to their summer shopping list.
City, led by director of football Txiki Begiristain, have made the improvement of their wide options a main summer priorities.
And two of Europe’s most highly-rated widemen are at the top of their wish-list and being closely monitored by City scouts.
Borussia Dortmund and Germany star Reus, 23, is valued at around £30m, while Seville’s Navas, 27, has a £35m buy-out clause in his contract.
But the huge price tags will not put off super-rich City.
They are preparing to spend big again, with Roberto Mancini’s men failing to build on their title win last season by underperforming in the league and Europe.
Of the two targets, Spanish World Cup winner Navas appears to be the easier to obtain. The right winger’s contract with Seville expires in 2015 and the financially-troubled La Liga side would be willing to accept around half of his hefty buy-out fee.
Reus, who can play on either flank and through the middle, joined Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach last summer on a deal that runs until 2017. City were one of the clubs keen on Reus before he moved to German champions Dortmund.
He was put off a move to Manchester by a potential lack of first-team football and then scored against City in the Champions League in October.
Sources in Germany say Reus would have the same concerns if City come calling again.
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, Malaga playmaker Isco, Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama and Derby’s teen starlet Will Hughes are also Etihad targets.
To help fund their summer spending spree City will try and offload Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Scott Sinclair.
Rosell: 'Balotelli tried to join Barca'
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell was worried about facing Milan, admires Stephan El Shaarawy and revealed that Mario Balotelli “tried to join us many times.”
“I was not at all relaxed ahead of yesterday evening, as playing against Milan is always difficult,” Rosell told Sky Sport Italia.
“The Rossoneri have an important history, while we have an excellent rapport with their directors. I think nothing will be decided last night, as it will all go down to the Camp Nou game.”
Balotelli was cup-tied after featuring in this tournament with Manchester City, so cannot take part in the game.
“Balotelli tried to join us many times at Barcelona and I don’t know if he’d play well against a team he tried to join for many years. I compliment Milan on having signed him.”
The Barcelona President did not specify when these approaches were made, whether during his time at Inter or Manchester City.
El Shaarawy is expected to start after shaking off a knee problem and has been linked with Europe’s top clubs.
“I couldn’t say if Barcelona liked him, but on a personal level I certainly do. However, that does not mean we want to sign him, because negotiating with Adriano Galliani and Umberto Gandini is very complicated.”
Buy Serie A tickets on Viagogo, the secure ticket marketplace, for games featuring Juventus, Milan, Inter, Roma and more.
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Arsenal have sent scouts to watch defenders Maxime Gonalons, 23, of Lyon and Torino's Angelo Ogbonna, 24. DSSC
Manchester United have asked FC Porto if they would consider swapping Colombian forward James Rodriguez, 20, for out-of-favour winger Nani, 26. Metro
The agent of Hamburg striker Heung-min Son, 20, says both Manchester United and Chelsea have made offers for the South Korean. SkySports
Chelsea's Demba Ba, 27, is open to the club bringing in another striker in the summer and said it will bring the best out of him. Daily Express
But Chelsea target Radamel Falcao, 27, is unlikely to join him at Stamford Bridge after the Colombian forward said he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid. Metro
Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski, 24, could still sign for Manchester United this summer despite reports that the Poland striker is set for a switch to Bayern Munich. The Sun
Frickson Erazo, 24, said Manchester United have sounded him out over a move but the defender insists he is focusing on his football in his native Ecuador with Barcelona SC. talkSHIT
Arsene Wenger will be assured he is the man to revive Arsenal's fortunes at a board meeting with the club's American owner Stan Kroenke on Thursday.
Arsene Wenger, who has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996, has been backed by the board
Full story: Daily Mail
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery, 29, has ridiculed Arsenal by declaring that it was "easy" to beat them in the Champions League on Tuesday. Sun
Midfielder Joey Barton, 30, on loan at Marseille, does not expect to return to QPR but admits he misses the Premier League. The Sun
Match-fixing and bribery are endemic in Chinese football because of low player salaries and unchecked local government officials, according to the deputy editor-in-chief of a popular Chinese sports newspaper and a former professional footballer. The Guardian
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is drawing on the spirit of the 'ghost goal' - against Chelsea in the semi-final by Luis Garcia - that took the club to the 2005 Champions League final in a bid to turn around their Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg at Anfield on Thursday. Daily Telegraph
Fifa's head of security Ralf Mutschke says the fight against match-fixing will ultimately fail without the full support of governments across the world. Fox News
A diamond-encrusted motorbike designed by Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, has fetched £43,250 at a charity auction. Daily Mirror
Bradford defender Carl McHugh, 20, will be roared on by his own 111-strong fan club when he faces Swansea in Sunday's Capital One Cup final. Times
Manchester City's Harlem Shake
Play mediaManchester City are the latest group of people to perform their version of online dance craze the Harlem Shake.
According to YouTube, 4,000 videos are being uploaded every day of people dancing to 30 seconds of New York producer Baauer's electronic dance track.
City mascot Moonchester and defender Aleksandar Kolarov are among those to feature in the manic dance.
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