YES , I’D PUT MY SHIRT ON US!
Pellegrini is ready to turn on the style again
MANUEL PELLEGRINI wasn’t blowing bubbles yesterday – but he was blowing his own trumpet.
The new West Ham boss insists he has absolutely nothing to prove as a Premier League manager following his previous success at Manchester City.
It may have been all but forgotten amid the plaudits for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering champions last season, but Pellegrini also set the top flight alight at City a few years before him.
The 64-year-old Chilean became the first non-European to win the Premier League in 2013/14, doing a double with the League Cup.
And his City side bagged 151 goals in all competitions that year – his first in charge – which still stands as an English record.
Asked if his own achievements at City were now being overlooked since the arrival of Guardiola, Pellegrini insisted: “I received all the praise I needed, I don’t need too much.
“When I arrived at Manchester City, before I signed a contract, I knew Txiki Begiristain (director of football) and Ferran Soriano (chief executive) very well.
“They told me they had two options, Guardiola and me. At that moment Pep was signed up at Bayern Munich. They got in touch with me, they were not doing a casting of managers, they came direct to me. I knew that the moment Guardiola wanted to come to England he would be coming to Manchester City. “So I finished my three-year contract there, I won the Premier League, the League Cup twice and we were the highest scoring team in the history of England in one season. “So I was very happy with my three years. I didn’t have a problem with anyone at Manchester City. “They are all my friends and I left after three beautiful years. “I could have stayed in the Premier League. It doesn’t matter which club it was. But the offer did not convince me and I wanted to go to China.
“This offer did convince me and now I am at a great club like West Ham.”
The Hammers have always been known for their attractive style of football. And that is something Pellegrini said he didn’t need co-owner David Sullivan to explain to him.
“He didn’t tell me because I know what West Ham is,” said Pellegrini.
“One of the most important things for any club, not just West Ham, is to have a style of football.
“You can choose, there are a lot of different styles in football and with all the styles you can win trophies and titles.
“But West Ham has a tradition and David was very happy to trust me. I will try to demonstrate what I did in my entire career, I always try to play offensive football.
“When I spoke with him (Sullivan) he told me he wants to build a new club.”