Pellegrini: I’ve spoken to Man City directors about Guardiola

Manchester City gave manager Manuel Pellegrini a huge vote of confidence on the eve of the new season on Friday (Saturday NZ Time) by extending his contract for two more years.

City finished a distant second to Chelsea in the top-flight, bowed out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage and suffered two humiliating home defeats in the domestic cup competitions.

But when it ends at City, he admits he will have one remaining ambition – a return home to play for Las Palmas, the team from his island which has just returned to La Liga for the first time in 14 years. Maybe he’s more linked to this team because of Tixi (Begiristain, Sporting Director). “The support of the club is also very important to me”.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson told BBC Radio 5 live: “I think Manchester United are going to go massive on someone again, they need a centre-forward”.

“In football you never know how long are the contracts”. However, his future at the club has been under scrutiny in recent months after he failed to replicate that success previous year.

City travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion on Monday in their first Premier League game of the season.

Manchester City have been criticised for their inactivity in the transfer window but this summer has seen the arrival of three home-grown talents in Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts. “You can not say it is a very good season if you win nothing”.

“There are many things we expect to improve this season, but no change in style of play because I am absolutely sure it is the best way to win”.

“It is always important to analyse why we concede 38 goals and more than 35 per cent were from set-pieces”.

Man City used 13 players last season aged 29 or older, which was more than anyone else in the top-flight.

“Last season was a unusual season because I don’t understand why we had so bad results after January”, he said. Pairing him up with an offense that already features David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony, and Samir Nasri is just scary to think about.

“I am not talking about Pep Guardiola, he is a manager that every team will want to manage because he is a great manager”, said Pellegrini.