The Engineer

[wolfcity]

But he hasn't won a European trophy at another club.

He did incredible things in the Champions League with smaller clubs like Villarreal and Malaga. There was also a 2004 Intertoto Cup win with Villarreal. It was never the most glamorous competition but it still required momentum and determination to win it.

City can now offer the resources he needs to spearhead a Champions League challenge although I feel it's a few seasons away yet at the earliest.

[Ted Hughes]

But he hasn't won a European trophy at another club.

He did incredible things in the Champions League with smaller clubs like Villarreal and Malaga. There was also a 2004 Intertoto Cup win with Villarreal. It was never the most glamorous competition but it still required momentum and determination to win it.

City can now offer the resources he needs to spearhead a Champions League challenge although I feel it's a few seasons away yet at the earliest.

i agree.

Unless we play with an extra 'seen our arses' edge next season because of the cartel actions ?

Imagine how funny that would be.

[wolfcity]

i agree.

Unless we play with an extra 'seen our arses' edge next season because of the cartel actions ?

Imagine how funny that would be.

The reduction to 21 players for the next campaign shouldn't do any damage unless we have an unlucky amount of injuries and suspensions.

European success would be special but we're still learning and building in a pragmatic way. I'm delighted with what I've been watching.

[Socrates]

But he hasn't won a European trophy at another club.

He did incredible things in the Champions League with smaller clubs like Villarreal and Malaga. There was also a 2004 Intertoto Cup win with Villarreal. It was never the most glamorous competition but it still required momentum and determination to win it.

City can now offer the resources he needs to spearhead a Champions League challenge although I feel it's a few seasons away yet at the earliest.

Intertoto wasn't a proper cup, it didn't have just one winner. He was being asked to do something he hadn't managed to achieve before and it was a risk. He happily got the monkey off his back with the League Cup victory and that momentum plus the squad's experience saw us home as champions.

[Michigan Blue]

The Intertoto was eventually awarded to just one winner though (the team who advanced furthest in the UEFA Cup), and under that criteria Villarreal still would have won it. They played 20 games in Europe that season and beat some decent oppo along the way, plus finished 3rd in La Liga.

It was an absolutely remarkable first season in Europe for Pellegrini and I wouldn't begrudge him some silverware, no matter how minor.

[Dameerto]

Mourinho 27 February 2005 Pellegrini 2 March 2014

As far as I can remember Manuel took up his position on 1st July, which makes it 8 months and one day by my calculation.

24th of June according to our official site.
http://www.mcfc.co.uk/news/team-news/20 ... ty-manager

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

The Intertoto was eventually awarded to just one winner though (the team who advanced furthest in the UEFA Cup), and under that criteria Villarreal still would have won it. They played 20 games in Europe that season and beat some decent oppo along the way, plus finished 3rd in La Liga.

It was an absolutely remarkable first season in Europe for Pellegrini and I wouldn't begrudge him some silverware, no matter how minor.

Intertoto wasn't competition by anyone's standards. It was way for some lesser teams to sneak into UEFA Cup. I don't know ANYONE who recognized Intertoto winnersmin any way. It may be that some mickey mouse cup was indeed presented to the team that progressed furthest, this is UEFA we are talking about after all, but the fact that this is the first I've ever heard of it tells all you need to know.

Jon is spot on here. People were right to wonder about Pellehrini's winning pedigree but he proved he is indeed a winner.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

School Report
Name: Manuel Pellegrini
Year: 2013-2014

Manuel was new to the school this year and made a good early impression by his calm manner, and his ability to strike up relationships with the other boys in the class, some of whom have a reputation for being spoilt and moody. He is a strong character, however, as shown when he faced down the school bullies (Pardew and Mourinho).

During the early settling-in period he may have underestimated some of the work set (Cardiff, Villa), but recovered well to finish top of the class. He is good at Languages, and his English has improved throughout the year (tarjets to targets). He can be prone to careless mistakes in Mathematics (Bayern away) and History (Wigan FA Cup), from which we hope he will learn a valuable lesson for his second year.

While he came to the school with a reputation as a promising candidate at Engineering, his strong understanding of Chemistry, and inclusive approach in group exercises, has helped some of his classmates to their most successful year ever (Kolarov, Nasri). In this respect he can be truly said to live up to the school motto (Be Holsitic!).

A thoroughly pleasing start to his time with us was rounded off by deservedly carrying away two of the four school prizes with a flourish. All the staff have great hopes for an equally successful year next year if he maintains the same standards.

Overall Rating: A*, very well done.

[AG7]

School Report Name: Manuel Pellegrini Year: 2013-2014 Manuel was new to the school this year and made a good early impression by his calm manner, and his ability to strike up relationships with the other boys in the class, some of whom have a reputation for being spoilt and moody. He is a strong character, however, as shown when he faced down the school bullies (Pardew and Mourinho). During the early settling-in period he may have underestimated some of the work set (Cardiff, Villa), but recovered well to finish top of the class. He is good at Languages, and his English has improved throughout the year (tarjets to targets). He can be prone to careless mistakes in Mathematics (Bayern away) and History (Wigan FA Cup), from which we hope he will learn a valuable lesson for his second year. While he came to the school with a reputation as a promising candidate at Engineering, his strong understanding of Chemistry, and inclusive approach in group exercises, has helped some of his classmates to their most successful year ever (Kolarov, Nasri). In this respect he can be truly said to live up to the school motto (Be Holsitic!). A thoroughly pleasing start to his time with us was rounded off by deservedly carrying away two of the four school prizes with a flourish. All the staff have great hopes for an equally successful year next year if he maintains the same standards. Overall Rating: A*, very well done.

Good effort ... just one question, how old are you?

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Good effort ... just one question, how old are you?

54 :-)