Pellegrini urged his players to ignore bomb scare unfolding before kick-off
Manchester City manager told squad not to be distracted by events at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER CITY manager Manuel Pellegrini told his players not to be distracted by events at Old Trafford before their game at Swansea kicked off.
The Barclays Premier League clash between Manchester United – the only side who could deprive City of fourth spot and the final Champions League place – and Bournemouth was called off following a security alert at Old Trafford which led to a bomb disposal team carrying out a controlled explosion at the ground.
Pellegrini admitted that his squad were aware of the situation before their 1-1 draw at Swansea, which all but sealed City’s place in Europe’s premier competition next season, when Pep Guardiola will be in charge following his arrival this summer at the end of a threeyear contract with Bayern Munich.
Only a massive swing in goal difference – United would need to beat Bournemouth by 19 goals in the rearranged fixture – would stop City from qualifying for the Champions League and Pellegrini certainly felt the job was done when he addressed the issue at his final post-match press conference.
“We knew before the game, but not good information, we just knew that the game was suspended,” said Pellegrini, regarding the events at Old Trafford.
“It’s important to investigate what happened but it was more important to be be focused on our game, because we were not depending on other teams.
“Before today we were in a Champions League spot for 37 weeks, so it was very important not to lose it in the last week.”
Pellegrini said he originally thought that the kick-off at Swansea would be delayed, allowing the two games with a bearing on Champions League qualification to be played at the same time.
It is understood that the idea of an extended half-time break was also examined by Premier League officials.
But the abandonment of the United game meant that the clash at the Liberty Stadium was played to a conclusion as normal.
“At the beginning they said that maybe the game was going to be delayed for some minutes,” said Pellegrini.
“But just a few minutes later, they told us that the game was being played again.”
Pellegrini celebrated the point by providing one City supporter in the away end with his jacket as a souvenir.
“It’s a very special day,” Pellegrini said after his final game.
“It’s not easy to finish a cycle in this club, a club where I was very happy, where I always felt the support of the fans during the three seasons.
“So I’m very proud to manage this squad.
“Of course, it was a difficult day. But there is also relief because it was very important to finish with the squad in the next Champions League.”
Swansea ended up in 12th place after a strong finish to the season which saw manager Francesco Guidolin rewarded with a two-year deal in midweek.
After joining in on the traditional endof-season lap of honour, Guidolin said: “It was a fantastic moment for me on the pitch with players, families and children and in front of our fans.
“It is a fantastic family and another surprise for me, because we are not used to this in Italy.
“Now we need to prepare a good team for next season. I have spoken with my chairman (Huw Jenkins) and we start with a good team.
“We need something in the summer, but not too many changes.”
While both managers had reason to be content at the Liberty Stadium, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was lamenting his “worst game” as a manager after already-relegated Newcastle thrashed Spurs 5-1 at St James’ Park.
The defeat, against a Newcastle team reduced to ten men for the last 25 minutes after scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off, allowed Arsenal to overtake their North London rivals for second spot courtesy of a 4-0 home win over Aston Villa.
Pochettino, who had hoped to be the first manager in two decades to steers Spurs to a top-flight finish ahead of the Gunners, said: “I’m very disappointed; it was my worse game as a manager. We spoke weeks before about never giving up, we need to learn and improve our mentality.
“Firstly I want to apologise to our fans, our supporters, it was a shame what happened on the pitch.
“I apologise to our families, the families who have suffered behind us, it is difficult now to arrive home and explain what has happened here.
“When you watch the game it wasn’t a tactical problem, a skill or technical problem, it was a mental problem. When you go on the pitch you need to give 100 per cent. We need to show more character.”
At Stamford Bridge, John Terry was in tears after the 1-1 draw with champions Leicester as he told fans in a post-match address that “I want to stay” while being unable to confirm if that means he will accept the club’s offer of a one-year deal in what Chelsea officials said was a “different” role.
West Ham need Manchester United to beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final if they are to bring Europa League football to their new home at the Olympic Stadium next season. The Hammers lost 2-1 at Stoke.