Champions League: Iheanacho Replaces Nasri
Guardiola IN, Pellegrini OUT at Etihad
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Kelechi Iheanacho’s dream of playing in Europe’s elite club football competition, the UEFA Champions League, has become a reality in just his first season of arriving at the Etihad Stadium.
Out-going Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, decided yesterday to hand the young Nigerian prodigy a place in Manchester City’s 25-man squad. Iheanacho was last minute replacement for injured former Arsenal star, Samir Nasri.
The 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Most Valuable Player was rewarded with the Champions League spot for his outstanding form since arriving Etihad last summer.
Pellegrini could not hide his love for the lad who scored a hat-trick last weekend in Man City’s FA Cup clash against Aston Villa at the Villa Park.
“Yes, he (Iheanacho) will be in the squad,” said Pellegrini on Kelechi’s inclusion in the Champions League squad.
“I have decided that. I told Samir Nasri I will take him out from the Champions League list because he needs two more months to be fit.
“We need Kelechi, because with Wilfried Bony injured, we cannot afford any risks if Kun (Sergio Aguero) is injured.
“So, we need Kelechi in the squad.
“It was not a difficult decision, but it’s always difficult to tell a player he will not continue in the selections.
“But I think Samir understood. He has already been injured for three months and he understands.”
Nasri has been out of action with a hamstring injury for three months.
However, Pellegrini will not be around next season to see to the continued growth of the Nigerian lad. Man City announced on its website yesterday that former Barcelona Coach, Pep Guardiola has been hired to take over from the 2016/2017 football season.
The announcement liven up one of the dullest transfer deadline days in recent memory.
Pellegrini had remained tight-lipped over his own future following Guardiola’s announcement, but now City have confirmed that the Chilean, who signed a contract extension until 2017 last August, will be not be staying on beyond the end of the season.
A statement from City read: “Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head coach for the 16/17 EPL season onwards.
“The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a recommencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.
“Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.
“Manuel Pellegrini, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead of retaining the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club.”
Pellegrini has revealed that he was informed of the club’s decision a month ago and claims he will leave on the terms of the original contract he signed when he joined City in 2013.
“Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date,”said the Chilean.
“I signed for one year more, but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that stuff now, so I finish here on the original date, June 30, so there is not the speculation.
“The club are not doing anything behind me, I knew this one month ago, but I don’t think it’s good to have rumour or speculation about these things, so I prefer to finish today, which I why I have told the players and I have told the Press. I also spoke to the club two weeks ago and said that I would do it,”concludes Pellegrini.