Roberto Mancini Sacked: The Verdict

Roberto Mancini's sacking might seem harsh to some, but it was something we all knew was going to happen eventually. The biggest hint was Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano's appointment to the higher administrative positions. City are building something big, and this was something they needed to do. 

Mancini achieved a lot at the Etihad, winning those trophies he loves to speak of, and also bringing some magnificent players to the club like Yaya Toure and David Silva. From his point of view, City have been extremely harsh-they've fired a man who's built one of the best squads in the world.  Mancini doesn't deserve how he's been treated, but he will almost definitely find another job, probably at Monaco. Football, however, isn't as simple as that. Man City know that at times they might have to be harsh on employees, but they've made the decision that benefits the club. 

Mancini's 3rd full season in Britain has shown his limitations. His man-management is absolutely awful, he comes across as cold and distant, like Fabio Capello. His public criticism of players showed how he was trying to deflect attention from himself and put the blame on the players. He fell out with Joe Hart, ruining his confidence, Vincent Kompany, for committing the sin of representing your country, Samir Nasri for being Samir Nasri, and Joleon Lescott for no reason. Few would be too upset about him leaving, with the players appearing uninspired of late, as though they didn't want to play for him. Compare that with the love shown to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford this week or Chelsea players pining for Jose Mourinho's return to the club. 

Begiristain and Sorriano have looked at other issues too. Mancini has a terrible record in Europe, never crossing the last 8 despite having 5 title winning sides in England and Italy. City had a difficult group but were absolutely destroyed in the Champions League. If you want to be as good as them, you must beat them. Experience wasn't an issue- his team is loaded with trophy winners. His biggest problem however, is in the transfer market. Mancini complains about the board not giving him the funds to bring the likes of van Persie, Hazard, De Rossi and Martinez in the summer, but City anyways had a fantastic squad, and they still spent 48 million on players Mancini no doubt had a role in picking, like Maicon. Does he need massive spending every single summer to win ? With FFP coming in soon, City have shown a desire to curb their spending and break even. Under Mancini, who struggled to get the best out of his players, that's not possible. 

Manuel Pellegrini is one hell of a manager. City are lucky to have found him. He has the ability to extract every little bit out of his team. Villareal and Malaga have both done brilliantly under him, while his reign at Real Madrid saw the team win 96 points but fail to win the title because Pep Guardiola had such a brilliant team they would destroy a best-of-the-rest line up. He will bring stability and tactical nous to the club and will gel with the players and directors. His appointment could have been handled better but it makes sense. He will bring out the best of the team and give young players a chance to play the Spanish way, as Begiristain and Sorriano want. Based on his ability and Ferguson's absence next season, City will be favourites for the title and will do better in Europe.

Manchester United Defeat Shows They Are Some Way From Their Best

This has been an interesting week in football. Ajax and Juventus won their respective league titles while Barcelona are almost there in La Liga, as are PSG. Bayern Munich and Manchester United already won their titles in what has been a season which has lacked a proper title race. Despite the dominance of these teams, there is hardly any dispute which teams everyone is talking about: Bayern and Dortmund, the Champions League finalists and by far Europe's most impressive sides this season. The likes of Barcelona and United are somewhat off the pace, and that sounds like something we never thought we would say.

I heard Gary Neville talk about how Sir Alex Ferguson would have watched the Germans this week and would be delighted. "Why ? Because Ferguson loves a challenge. He would look at those sides and wonder how he can bring United to that level."

Ferguson has spoken all season about how this is one of the finest United teams of all time. He has statistics to back him up. For most of this year United have been chasing the points record and are the 1st ever side to win 25 of their first 30 games. They were desperately unlucky against Real Madrid because of that rubbish Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir (where does UEFA find these people) and in Ferguson's opinion they possess tremendous depth. Ask any supporter, however, and they will talk about how happy they are to be Champions, but know this season promised so much more. 

Defeat to Chelsea tonight means Ferguson has been out-thought by Rafael Benitez for the 3rd time this season. Ouch. They were outplayed by Manchester City in the derby and in the end could not overturn the deficit against Real. The season has gone from treble-hopes to double-hopes to points record-hopes to well, nothing more than the title. This team has been fantastic this year, but compare them to the energy and flair of Bayern and Dortmund, they pale in comparison. Even Barcelona are a step ahead. 

Being the best in England means a lot to Ferguson after last season's finale. However, if there is 1 record he covets more than any, it's Bob Praisely's 3 European Cups. He's always spoken about how United should have won more European Cups, and at 71, knows if he wants to equal Praisely's record, he hasn't got much time. This team is the one which has to get him that trophy, he can't build another. The process started 2 years back, when after getting hammered by Barca Fergie realized it was time to move on from his best team ever- the Cristiano Ronaldo and later Wayne Rooney inspired side from 2006-2011. In came the youth of David de Gea, Phil Jones and the relatively older Ashley Young. Next summer came Alexander Buttner, Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa. It's clear to see what's going on. de Gea replaced Edwin van der Sar, the legendary stopper who retired at the end of that season, Jones and Chris Smalling, brought in earlier, are expected to inherit Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic's positions. Kagawa was brought in to provide guile and to give the club the option of playing a specialist in the whole in the 4-2-3-1 formation. The team is in transition, and the fact that it keeps on winning is down to Ferguson's man management and the experience of the likes of Giggs, Scholes, Rooney and Ferdinand etc. 

But despite that, the fact that this is a relatively weak United side can be disputed. They continue to win games mechanically, and they possess 4 players from this year's PFA Team of the Season. Yet something feels incomplete. They get outplayed in midfield very often and have struggled at periods in every game this season. You don't associate that with the team of 1994, 1999, 2008 or 2009. Evolution, rather than revolution is needed. Listening to Ed Woodward say this will be a quiet summer is scary considering City will spend heavily this summer and Jose Mourinho will probably return to Stamford Bridge. Woodward is a Glazers man, hence my belief that when he talks about not investing in the team, he means it. Ferguson knows he needs to buy, yet his targets are in the wrong areas. Robert Lewandowski isn't needed desperately, neither is Asmir Begovic or Angello Ogbonna. Midfield is the priority, both in the middle and out wide, where Nani and Antonio Valencia are both expected to leave. Few United fans will miss Nani, while Valencia's form has plummeted and he is a one trick pony. Watching Anderson today made me certain he too should be shown the door, and with Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher all but done, it will mean central midfield is a genuine concern at Old Trafford. Man City and Chelsea both overran Michael Carrick and his midfield partner, be it Giggs or Cleverley. A new midfield enforcer is needed, with the likes of Kevin Strootman and Ikay Gundogan (what a player he is !) linked with the club. Out wide Wilfried Zaha has already been snapped up, yet that's not enough. James Rodriguez too should be considered while Angel Di Maria's lack of consistency should rule him out. The biggest wide player wanted though, is a boy from Madeira. 

Cristiano Ronaldo will be the heroic signing United fans will happily take in exchange for some level of affection for the Glazers. His name is still sung every week, and is the biggest name on the market and would be a deal perfect for both sides. Ronaldo is someone who needs love and affection and will get that at the Theater Of Dreams. He speaks of it like his own family, while United would get one of the greatest players of all time who will take little time to adjust. The only issue is if his fee would stop Ferguson from plugging in the gaps in the middle. 

I don't rate Tom Cleverley as highly as others. He's definitely talented, but is already 23 and I doubt he will ever be as good as Scholes or Keane. He seems like someone who could stay at the club for his entire career and could turn out to be a pretty big star. Yet I believe he loses his way when the going get's tough and doesn't dictate play enough. Better players are available in the market and a midfielder is desperately needed. Next season should also see Jones become more of a regular with Vidic's injury issues and Ferdinand's ageing. Jones and Evans could be United's next great pairing and Alex Buttner deserves more chances instead of Evra. Unless Ronaldo is possible, another striker isn't needed unless Ferguson really wants to let Rooney go. This team showed against Real that they aren't too far from the top, but they need reinforcements in midfield to rise to the standard of Guardiola's (in August) Bayern.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Preview

With both Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez taking a swing at each other in Friday's press conferences, you know that it is on. There is no way in hell Ferguson will let Manchester United start as slowly as they did at The Emirates last weekend. He's been out-thought by Rafa earlier this season (twice in fact) and he won't accept another defeat. This is probably the last time Benitez will manage in English football for a while and Ferguson would like nothing better than to play a part in ruining his mortal enemy's Stamford Bridge mission and his legacy in the British game. For Rafa, this game is massive. They have the upper hand in the table when it comes to points, but have United, Spurs and Everton left to play. By no means are they assured a place in the Top 4.

From Ferguson's point of view, the game is about trying to stop Hazard, Mata and Oscar. In the FA Cup replay he made Michael Carrick track Juan Mata, tell Phil Jones to stop Ramires bursting forward and using Tom Cleverley tucking in from the left to contain Oscar. The plan ultimately failed as the midfield lacked creativity (though this was their 2nd game in 3 days) and they gave all the initiative to Chelsea, who probed and probed and eventually scored. They will try and block all room between the lines, so expect Phil Jones to start. I expect and hope Michael Carrick is benched- he's playing through injury and needs a rest. Ferguson will also worry about Ashley Cole overlapping, but knows Antonio Valencia generally likes facing the former Arsenal left back. Rafael probably won't be rested just yet and those two will play together on the right. The left back position could see Ryan Giggs playing in a narrower role, allowing either Azpillicueta or Ivanovic time on the ball. Neither are quite Roberto Carlos-esque.  His next dilemma comes upfront because Robin van Persie is in top form but deserves a rest at some stage, Javier Hernandez has a great record against Chelsea and Wayne Rooney is also available. Of late Shinji Kagawa has received game time as Ferguson begins planning for next season. It will be interesting to see what front 3 he uses. 
Likely team: de Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Cleverley, Jones, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez.

Benitez has it easier. Demba Ba will probably get the nod over a strangely prolific Fernando Torres upfront, while Hazard, Mata and Oscar will all start. Ramires' energy has caused United numerous problems in the past 3 seasons, and he will line up alongside John Obi Mikel in all probability. I however think David Luiz will be better suited to this role as he has a better passing range and can be a threat from set plays. This man has scored 2 important goals for Chelsea against United in the past, and is technically far superior to Mikel. John Terry was left out in midweek and may be a surprise starter. Benitez must worry about fatigue, his team have a ginormous game against Spurs in midweek, their 63rd game of the season, meaning they play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and then Saturday again.
Likely team: Cech, Azpillicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ba.

This game will likely be decided by which team is more up for it. United have little left to play for and Chelsea are exhausted and know they have an even bigger game in midweek. Benitez's previous game at Old Trafford was decided by his excellent use of the bench, while United too possess great depth. I see them being pumped up for this game and starting of well, but Chelsea have the ability to put them to the sword. I expect a draw, either 1-1 or 2-2. This fixture is generally dramatic and exciting. Will we see another great game this Sunday ?

Jose Mourinho: Is The Special One Getting Ready For A Special Homecoming ?

The second ITV aired Jose Mourinho stating "I want to be where I am loved, I am loved in England", Chelsea fans were anticipating something spectacular. The fact is, the entire Blues empire was built by Mourinho, winning their first league title in 50 years (and breaking the points record). The team he worked with has remained the spine of their best era: Terry, Lampard, Cech, Cole, Drogba and Essien. Only 1 manager has won the title since he left. Only Avram Grant has come anywhere near winning it- and that was with Jose's team. His team made Sir Alex Ferguson sit through 3 title-less seasons. His reputation was bulging when he arrived, when he left it was up there with the finest. 

The only problem was the man who brought him there in the 1st place. Roman Abrahamovich is not your normal football owner. This man has little to no interest in finances. The team is his toy, something he wants to use for enjoyment, but he has another agenda. This team is what he wants to be known for. It is a symbol of power, of prestige, just like his yachts. Profits matter little to him. Just like Qatar, he uses football to enhance his image. It's like a King's castle. He wants Chelsea to be a global empire like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He wants the best players in the world and the most stylish game. The lack of stability doesn't affect him; he wants his club to be in the news and he wants to be shown to be in power. No manager can overpower him at his plaything. That is where the problem comes in. 

Mourinho might be the greatest coach of this century (though Ferguson, Guardiola and Ancelloti might disagree) but he's a bit like Mario Balotelli. He relishes controversy and confrontation. One of the reason's his teams have been so successful is because he's an expert at deflecting attention from them. Before, after and during a game he wants people to be thinking and talking about him. His ego requires him to constantly hog the limelight, be it criticizing referees, undermining star players or even courting other clubs while criticizing the media. His entire reign at Real was poisoned by his constant reference to the Champions League as 'the 3rd' as in a record 3rd title for him rather than 'the 10th' as in La Decima for the club. Even on the night they were eliminated, he spoke about going to a club 'that loves me'. His statement deflected attention from the fact that he missed his chance at both the above mentioned records. 

His playing style is also stated to be a problem. But Mourinho is unfairly criticized for that. He isn't exactly Pep Guardiola, but isn't as defensive-minded as people think. Last season his  side scored more goals than any Real side has ever done. His starting line-up incorporated Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo and Benzema. His Inter side also played aggressively. The problem is people remember him only him for Inter's 'parking the bus' strategy at the Nou Camp once. That was out of necessity. Don't forget Inter won the 1st leg of that tie 3-1 and could afford to do that. He likes pace on the counter-attack and will bring defensive stability back to the Bridge. He will enjoy having the pace of Hazard, Mata and Oscar playing behind summer signing Radamel Falcao (it's practically a done deal). Mourinho will also bring tremendous PR. Rafa Benitez reign has highlighted a gap in communication and has harboured a toxic atmosphere at the club. Jose in, all that rubbish out. 

Whether he and Roman can sort out their differences will be the key to his appointment. Michael Emenalo and Ron Guorlay will remain in high administrative positions at the club. The club follows a system commonly found in Europe: managers come and go, but the rest of the club remains stable. Chelsea might have gone overboard with the former but the fact remains Mourinho has always had problems with hierarchy. He will want control but must accept a compromise. His desire for big signings will be met, and this is definitely a marriage made in heaven. Ferguson with United, Guardiola with Barcelona, Klopp with Dortmund, Mourinho with the Blues,