Manchester City have announced Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager… and managed to spell his name wrong!
The Chilean at the Etihad, but despite forging a brilliant reputation as a manager in South America and Spain, City’s web chiefs obviously didn’t know the man well enough to get his surname correct.
As if that wasn’t enough, a caption in the attached story also incorrectly identified Manchester City’s Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano as ‘Ferram’ – who in turn referred to ‘the Cub’!
their manager – who has taken them from La Liga relegation candidates to the Champions League – for nothing after not paying his wages, but a deal has now been struck between the Andalucians and Manchester City for his passage.
MCFC
Pellegrini’s appointment has been reported since February, when in an expletive-laden press conference.
The Italian on May 13.
For the latest reaction on Manuel Pellegrini’s hiring, follow
Arsenal have announced the brilliantly-named Sir Chips Keswick as the successor to chairman Peter Hill-Wood.
Hill-Wood, 77, has been Arsenal chairman since 1982, but suffered a heart attack last year and stood down from the job for health reasons.
Keswick – full name John Chippendale Lindley Keswick – is a comparative stripling at 73 and has been on the club’s board since 2005.
While his name suggests he’s a character in a previously unknown PG Wodehouse short story, he is actually the former chairman of Hambros Bank and a director of the Bank of England.
In his role as chairman, Keswick will work directly with chief executive Ivan Gazidis on the club’s football and business ambitions.
The appointment ends a dynasty at going back to 1927 as Hill-Wood’s father Denis and grandfather Sir Samuel were chairman before him.
Arsenal’s majority owner, Stan Kroenke, said: "Peter has been a wonderful custodian of this club.
"He has been a member of the Arsenal board for 51 years and his vision and steadfastness have been central to the successes of this great club over that time.
"Peter will be sorely missed but we will be ensuring we recognise his many contributions to the club in an appropriate way."
On the new appointment, Kroenke added: "I am delighted that Sir Chips has agreed to become chairman.
"He has a well-respected track record in business and he will provide further direction and support in our ambition to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe and to win trophies."
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Keswick is an old Etonian and is currently a non-executive director of a number of companies including DeBeers Sa, Investec Bank and Persimmon plc.
He said: "Firstly, I am sad to see Peter standing down due to his health and we all hope he continues well in his recovery. The Hill-Wood family has made an extraordinary contribution to Arsenal over many decades. They have been central to the club’s many achievements during this time.
"I am greatly honoured to have been appointed chairman of Arsenal Football Club. This is one of the great clubs in the game, recognised and loved by millions. I am looking forward to leading the club to future success."
Hill-Wood, who joined the board in 1962 when his father became chairman, said: "This has been a difficult decision as Arsenal Football Club has been a huge part of my life.
"Although I am feeling better I feel this is the right time for me to stand down.
"I would like to thank our majority owner Stan Kroenke for the respectful and dignified way he has handled this and I know Sir Chips is the right person to take the club forward."
With now officially taking over from Roberto Mancini we asked La Liga expert David Cartlidge to pinpoint some of the Spain-based players the new boss might want to bring with him.
Roberto Mancini was sacked just two days after his side were beaten 1-0 in the FA Cup Final by Wigan, and having already conceded the Premier League title to rivals Manchester United.
Pellegrini was widely known to be set for the job, and his former club Malaga have finally agreed to his exit after lengthly negotiations with City CEO Ferran Soriano –
Here are six players David thinks might well be following him to Manchester.
Isco
MalagaAttacking Midfield21-years-old
With David Silva’s injury problems this season contributing to his stuttering form, it’s time some of the playmaking burden was taken off him.
Isco is an ideal solution to the creative side of City’s game, and the bonus is that Pellegrini knows the 21-year-old inside out from his time at Malaga.
The player’s maturity is in large part thanks to Pellegrini, as he allowed him freedom in a creative sense but also taught him discipline and maturity in terms of his moves into central areas.
Isco, like his countryman Silva, is blessed with an abundance of technique, ability in tight areas, swift changes of direction and excellent vision of the game. He can be played on the left side of midfield, but with that license to cut in and work behind the attack between the lines.
Let’s not forget how much Pellegrini loves a playmaker – see exhibit A: D’Alessandro, Riquelme – so there is no reason why Isco couldn’t coexist with Silva.
Gonzalo Higuain
Real MadridStriker25-years-old
Rumours of Gonzalo Higuain’s departure from Real Madrid come around every summer and it appears this could be the season it finally happens.
Pellegrini’s a huge fan of mobile forwards, and while City have one in the shape of Sergio Aguero another in Higuain would be a huge bonus.
This Argentinean comes without the off-field baggage of Carlos Tevez, but can still provide the same monstrous effort on the field. Higuain has the ability to pull players away from key defensive positions, and also hold the ball up, lay-off the ball and player either back to goal or in behind. Not to mention he can finish too.
Higuain’s never truly been loved in Spain’s capital, but after a few games the City fans would want to throw their arms around the industrious 25-year-old –
Geoffrey Kondogbia
SevillaCentral/box-to-box midfielder20-years-old
A revelation this season, Geoffrey Kondogbia could have already been in the Premier League. The Frenchman was at one point close to a move to Reading, but the club decided after a few scouting trips he wasn’t up to much. How they must regret that now!
The Frenchman has been in outstanding form for a struggling Sevilla outfit, and has brought all his physical capabilities to the table.
He sits alongside another deep midfielder and can quite easily form a double pivot but also emerge forward with powerful runs.
His decision making around the penalty area needs vast improvement but what he can provide is energy and impact in the engine room. It would be excellent for his development to work alongside Yaya Toure.
Miranda or Diego Godin
Atlético MadridCentre backs28 and 27 respectively
Both have been integral features of the imperious Atlético Madrid defence this season, and both would represent a dependable presence in terms of defensive rotation.
Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasi will undoubtedly be the first choice pairing but rather than splash out big for another centre-back, Miranda or Godin would be content to rotate and won’t break the budget.
Miranda’s been a sensation since arriving on a free transfer and is quick across the ground, strong, positionally aware and does the basics well.
Godin has attracted interest before from the Premier League and played over 70 games with Pellegrini at Villarreal, so the bonus is the Chilean knows him very well. The Uruguayan is excellent in the air, clears his lines swiftly and is physically commanding too.
Fabio Coentrao
Real MadridLeft-back25-years-old
Another – along with departing boss Jose Mourinho – who could soon see the exit door at Real Madrid, Coentrao’s a player City looked at before and know well. They might have to look again given how much he’d suit a Pellegrini system.
Joan Capdevila was an important part of Villarreal’s defence under Pellegrini making over 80 appearances with the Chilean at the helm, and his galloping up and down the left flank was a vital feature of the side.
With Pellegrini often liking his wide players to cut inside it leaves space in the channels to run into, few full-backs are better when it comes to attacking forays than Coentrao.
The Portuguese could form a perfect tandem with an inside cutting Isco, as he places emphasis on attack foremost.
Coentrao’s defending has improved vastly as well, and especially so in the big games he’s offered dependable, error-free displays.
With the amount of Jorge Mendes clients heading to Monaco though, one must fear he’s more likely to be in Monte Carlo than Manchester.
In Spain, he is called "El Ingeniero" – The Engineer – a reminder of his degree qualification.
It is also a tribute to the calm, composed and professorial way Manuel Pellegrini goes about his job every day of his life.
And while many Manchester City fans feel is harsh and unfair, owners believe they need an engineer to build a genuine winning machine.
The former Chile centre-back – 28 caps before hanging up his boots in 1986 – is ready to embrace a very different challenge from the ones he has faced before.
This is the man, remember, who took Villarreal from nowhere to within touching distance of the Champions League Final.
A man who discovered earning the record points total in Real Madrid history was not enough when pitted against Pep Guardiola’s team of all the talents.
And a man who nearly quit Malaga last October on a point of principle, when it turned out the promises he had made to his players – after being assured of their veracity by the club’s owner – were simply hot air.
Whatever the City players thought of Mancini, they will soon discover that the new man will be pushing them in ways they may not have been pushed before, and subject to an attention to detail that the City top-brass feel is required.
Pellegrini’s journey has taken him more than a quarter of a century to reach England by way of his homeland, then Ecuador, Argentina and Spain – each step of the way cultivating the players around him, fostering the strict demands he places upon them.
It is that ethos which caught the eye of the men who matter at the Etihad now, Txiki Begiristan and Ferran Soriano.
City’s shapeless, listless, would only have confirmed them in the boldness of the decision, already taken, to replace Mancini.
Begiristan and Soriano felt that Mancini’s side were too insipid, dull, underwhelming.
That they relied on the individual talents of the players to dig them out of scrapes under a manager lacking the inspiration they wanted.
In Pellegrini, they have the antidote, the opposite. A micro-manager, who, while Real boss, wandered around his hotel in Madrid, notebook in hand, never stopping, his philosophy crystal clear.
He always, invariably, without hesitation, wants a solid line of four, augmented by two holding midfielders, whose job is simple and effective, to create the platform for those in front, whether two plus two or three interchanging behind a lone spearhead.
Pelligrini believes games are won before the kick-off whistle is blown.
"I like the players to play the way they have trained all week," he recently explained.
"What matters is that they take on the mentality of a big club and play in a way that responds to the opponent but with confidence in our own football.
"You have to spend the majority of the time improving how we play and minimising errors.
"Only 10 per cent of the time is about the opponent. Tactics is not just theory, but more about the intelligence you show on the pitch. We have to have the intelligence to search for the answers inside the game – which variations to choose."
In simple terms: Listen to me and you will win.
Elisa Estrada
"In reality the coach is the most important person at the club during the week," he added. "In training, the coach is 95 per cent, the players the other five per cent.
"Once the game starts, it is the other way round. The coach’s influence is very limited. He can change things, make suggestions but his real influence is minimal. That is why the work has to be done in training."
It promises to be a different City, in every sense.
The key for Pelligrini is intelligent players, a sign that Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and David Silva will be as instrumental for the new man as his predecessor.
At Villarreal, he was given the opportunity to build a team in his own image.
Even the stars of that team, such as Argentinians Juan Roman Riquelme (who missed the injury-time spot-kick against Arsenal in the 2006 semi-final) and Juan Pablo Sorin, Uruguayan Diego Forlan and Brazilian-born Spaniard Marcos Senna had to buckle under.
Riquelme was dumped when he refused to do so.
When Florentino Perez returned for a second spell at the Real helm in 2009, the Chilean was appointed.
It was another "Galacticos" era, with £200m spent to land Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.
But selecting two of former president Ramon Calderon’s acquisitions, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, opened up a rift with Perez which festered.
Finishing as La Liga runners-up to a European Cup-winning Barcelona side was declared a failure.
His self-penned epitaph was graphic.
"I didn’t have a voice or a vote," he said. "It’s no good having an orchestra with the 10 best guitarists if I don’t have a pianist."
Malaga, emboldened by a cash influx from Qatar, were going to be the new orchestra, only for the taps to be turned off overnight.
Even so, and facing a UEFA ban for financial misconduct, prevented them eliminating Borussia Dortmund in this season’s last eight.
City’s Arab owners are cut from a different cloth.
Spaniards Begiristain and Soriano know what they want, attacking football and freedom on the ball but with tactical discipline, the likely signing of Isco, from Malaga, bringing the dressing room disciple every manager wants to have.
Pellegrini, too, sees City as the platform he craves.
He expects to win, to get the maximum out of the players that lost their focus under Mancini. To go everywhere and dominate the game.
Civil engineers are good at construction.
Now for more on Pellegrini by our La Liga expert David Cartlidge.
Five things Pellegrini must do at City
Entertainment The City powers that be lost faith in Mancini because they felt his football was tedious and formulaic. They want to be excited by a winning side that has belief in itself.
Bravery Mancini’s reign began to spiral out of control in Madrid last September. They went with a negative mind-set but led with minutes to go only to fall apart. Pellegrini knows he has to be the dominant force in matches. Being outplayed by Wigan is not acceptable.
Maturity City were a side that regressed this season, with too few players willing to carry the burdens of expectation. That has to change, immediately and Pellegrini’s imprint needs to be swift and sure, not only to get the fans onside.
Europe Sheikh Mansour believes City should be a Champions League force, not an embarrassment. Mancini has never progressed beyond the last eight in the competition. Pellegrini will be expected to challenge Europe’s elite.
Trophies The Abu Dhabi owners have invested more than £1billion on and off the pitch. They expect a team to deliver a regular and consistent return for "The Project". With United and Chelsea also changing managers, excuses will be thin on the ground.
Manuel Pellegrini’s coaching career
Early years: Universidad Chile 1987-89, Palestino (Chile) 1990-91 & 1998, O’Higgins (Chile) 1992-93, Universidad Catolica (Chile) 1994-96, LDU Quito (Ecuador) 1999-2000.
San Lorenzo (Argentina), June 2001-May 2002 W21 D17 L12
River Plate (Argentina), June 2002-June 2003 W35 D7 L11
Villarreal (Spain), July 2004-May 2009 W123 D72 L64
Manuel Pellegrini has finally been appointed Manchester City manager.
In what has been one of football’s worst-kept secrets, the Blues confirmed the news on their website minutes ago.
The Chilean has signed a three-year contract and will begin his job on June 24th, the club said.
Most recently Pellegrini has been working in Spain at Malaga, but left his role at the end of new season.
His move to the Ethiad has now been rubber-stamped.
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The club’s announcement also included a quote or two from the new boss.
“I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity. The Club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution," Pellegrini explained.
"Everything is in place for Manchester City to continue to be successful and I am excited to be able to work with such a talented squad, the Executive team and the Board to deliver for fans who are renowned for their steadfast support.”
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And chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given the world the reasons why Pellegrini was the right man to replace Roberto Mancini
"We have been greatly impressed throughout the selection process by his philosophy, his attitude and his commitment to the long term development of Manchester City. I am delighted that he has joined us," he explained.
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Not forgetting Ferran Soriano – the club’s chief executive officer.
“Manuel is a very experienced coach with a recognised ability to get the most out of his players and build cohesive teams," he noted.
"He shares the Club’s approach to football and our ambition to achieve on field success, coordinating with the wider football support teams to ensure natural progression from the Academy to senior level."
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As if he, the fans or the footballing world need a reminder as to the task he has ahead of him, here’s the chairman on his hopes for next season.
"The target now is to win every competition that we play in. That is the target, quite simply.
"It is a high ambition, but we have the organisation and the squad to get us there."
All the best, Manuel. Here’s.
Laurence Griffiths – The FA
4:28 pm
What is Manuel Pellegrini’s history? Manchester City’s new boss was a defender in his playing days, but then moved onto coaching and managing thereafter.
He confirmed his exit from Malaga last month, before Man City stepped in to (slowly) appoint him their boss.
Here’s his football career timeline:
Born on 16th September 1953Played for CF Universidad de Chile throughout his career as a defenderRepresented his country 28 timesStarted coaching in 1988 and spent 16 years working and managing across South American teams, including Universidad and River PlateHired by Villarreal in 2004, reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA cup and qualifying for the Champions LeagueReached Champions League semi-final the following seasonSecond-place La Liga finish in 2007/08 and Champions League quarter-finalHired by Real Madrid in June 2009Club record 96 points but finished behind Barcelona. Dismissed in May 2010Became coach of Malaga in November 2010 Guided club to fourth in La Liga in 2011/12Finished sixth in 2012/13Confirmed Malaga exit for "sporting reasons" on May 22nd 20134:35 pm
Despite being appointed today, it appears as though Pellegrini’s hard work started a while ago.
The clubfrom Shakhtar Donetsk in a £30million deal.
And Jesus Navas is.
The summer is young and Manchester City have already made their intentions clear.
Pellegrini’s arrival will only help speed things up.
MCFC.co.uk
4:42 pm
As reported last month, Pellegrini could have as much as.
No hanging around, the Chilean will be able to shape the squad as he wants it immediately.
Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid isare considering.
And for your eyes, here’sover the coming months.
Jasper Juinen
4:47 pm
Here are five things you may not know about the new Manchester City boss.
Spent his entire professional playing career with local club Universidad de Chile, making over 450 appearances before becoming their coach.Pellegrini is a qualified civil engineer, earning him the nickname ‘El Ingeniero’ (the engineer).Went to university at the age of 17, at the same time as starting his football career.Did not even consider becoming a coach until the age of 30 but, after hanging up his boots at 33, took training courses in Italy and England before taking charge of Universidad’s youth squad.He played for Chile as a defender.
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Here’s what Pablo Zabaleta had to say about Pellegrini while speaking on City’s pre-season tour on May 23:
"I have never worked under Pellegrini before, when he was at San Lorenzo I was in the second team.
"I don’t know him as a person but he did well at Real Madrid, Villarreal and Malaga.
"We will see if Pellegrini signs for Manchester City.
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"His way to play football is great. Somebody told me he is a great manager so we will wait to see what happens.
"Hopefully if he comes to City he can just carry on with his football.
4:59 pm
Here’s what Pellegrini said to marca.com on May 27 he said: "I am lucky to have good options and Manchester City is an option."
And a couple of days later (May 29) to Spanish TV station Canal Sur, Pellegrini said: "I have a verbal commitment with them and I wait for their move.
"As of yet, I have not signed a contract."
Who would have thought it’d take another two weeks for everything to be confirmed?
in this morning’s Daily Mirror, it was all to do with a contract stand-off.
And on June 14 he has finally been appointed.
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More must-read articles on the new boss.
Chief football correspondent Martin Lipton says .
And from David Cartlidge: What can Manchester City fans expect from their new boss?
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Everyone makes mistakes. That’s fine – these things happen.
But how long has this story been lined up?
Not one spelling error, but two!.
MCFC
5:15 pm
And here are another five things you may not know about Pellegrini:
Has coached some of the biggest clubs in their respective countries – Real Madrid (Spain), River Plate (Argentina), LDU Quito (Ecuador) and Universidad (Chile).At his first European club, led little-known Villarreal to the most successful period in their history. In five years at El Madrigal, Pellegrini helped Villarreal twice finish in the top three of La Liga, win the Intertoto Cup, while leading them the Champions League for the first time where they reached the semi-finals in 2006 before losing to Arsenal. Villarreal also reached UEFA Cup quarter-finals under Pellegrini.Lasted only one season at Real Madrid despite his winning 31 of 38 league games and accumulating a then club-record 96 points to finish runners-up to Barcelona. He was replaced by a certain Jose Mourinho.Led Malaga to their first top-four finish in the Primera Division and subsequently into the Champions League for first time in their history, where they reached the quarter-finals this season.Has ambitions to one day coach the Chile national team.
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Manuel Pellegrini will be a success, according to Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“I can only talk from my own experience, half a season under him at Madrid and the last season of my career at Malaga,” said van Nistelrooy.
“The experience was really good and on a professional level and a personal level I rate him very highly."
More on the Dutchman’s views .
5:58 pm
Right, that’s it from our live blog today. For more information on Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment, keep your eyes on mirror.co.uk/football and follow @MirrorFootball.
The football season is only ruddy finished, but MirrorFootball never sleeps.
Although there’s no round-ball action filling our screens this summer, we’re still here to be your friend, guide and confidant, with this very article providing the perfect example of our much under-discussed role as a helper of men and bastion of society.
It’s father’s day on Sunday, which means you need to buy nice things for daddy-o.
But you don’t have a clue what to get him, do you?
No, not more socks.
Let us walk you through the dangerous gauntlet of celebratory purchases and show you our top five gifts for the old man.
The Braun noise
The old man needs to keep himself in shape over the summer, as blobs of ice cream accessorising his facial hair is one of the most harrowing images you can imagine.
Fortunately, we’ve found a high-powered electric razor that does the job and is half-price throughout June as to make your Father’s Day shop that little bit cheaper – almost exactly 50% cheaper, in fact.
It’s made by Braun, which is German for ‘brown’ and has almost nothing to do with the product at all.
Basically it just does the job well, and is designed so that if you can’t be bothered to shave for a whole weekend, the three-day stubble is easily dealt with on a Monday morning with the adjustable foils.
Done and done.
Braun Series 3-380: RRP £149.99 – Wet&Dry, Extra LED and bubble pack
Handball! Foul!
When the football season draws to a close, we at MirrorFootball like to focus on the transfer market rather than betraying our spherical-balled masters and dabbling in other sports.
Occasionally we will allow cricket as an alternative hobby but bar when Stoke City are playing, any rugby is completely unforgivable and punishable by klaxon.
That said, our colleagues over a MirrorSport keep trying to convince us that this ‘Lines Tor’ or ‘Lions Tour’ is really important because it’s the oval-ball equivalent of a Great Britain All-Star XI taking on Germany in a three-match series, which frankly sounds absolutely frigging excellent.
In practice, it would only mean the England team nabbing Gareth Bale and chucking a few others in the mix, but imagine the support from the people, the fun and – most importantly – how nice the shirt could be.
The rugger version is not too bad as shirts go, and if you squint hard enough it looks like a Liverpool one.
Adidas British & Irish Lions shirt: RRP £85 – Union Red
Forget the Lions, be a Tiger
EA Sports
Our chum Tiger is back and playing good golf again, making him one of the favourites for glory at this weekend’s US Open.
Now he’s put all his philandering behind him, we can stop making funny puns about bunkers and the like and enjoy him again – or more to the point, his computer game.
By far the best and most realistic golf sim ever made, the latest edition of Tiger Woods PGA Tour is out already and watching the action from Merion is bound to make you want to have a crack at this after the players are back in the clubhouse.
So what else to do but buy it for Dad, who will probably never even play it and just give it to you! What a plan.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14: RRP £39.99 – EA Sports
Fancy some football boots? Maybe a watch too? That’ll be 40k please
Puma
This one may be out of the reach of many, but it’s a gift that would certainly raise eyebrows.
Falcao, Puma and Hublot watches have teamed up to offer this remarkable package where you get a nice little timepiece for your wrist.
The price is a cool US$40,000 for the numbered units (of which there will be only 100) and each will be personally signed by the Colombian – arguably the world’s finest centre-forward.
Apparently this all makes sense because it’s one year until the World Cup and Hublot are official time-keepers. See! *Now* you get it.
As an alternative, how about doing something that will warm the heart?
A donation on Dad’s behalf to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to help beat bowel cancer.
By donating the same amount of money you would spend on a Father’s Day gift, you’ll continue vital research and help to create more Father’s Days for families touched by bowel cancer.
This year marks 20 years since the world lost Bobby Moore, 1966 World Cup winning captain, to bowel cancer at just 51 years old. The Bobby Moore Fund was set up by his widow Stephanie Moore MBE in his memory to fund vital research into the disease, which is the second most common cause of cancer death.
Your Father’s Day donation will make a real difference, helping fund high-quality bowel cancer research carried out by leading scientists working across the UK. You’ll also be able to show your dad your donation on his behalf, by giving him a special certificate that you will receive once you have donated.
Try telling the Blackpool winger he’d rather focus on tattoos than tactics.
Ince is as frustrated as everyone else by his from the European Under-21 Championship currently being played in Israel.
But the 21-year-old son of former England captain Paul was bemused to hear his – and his team-mates’ – desire being questioned.
“I left the reserves at Liverpool to play first-team football on loan at Notts County.” said Ince junior, recently voted the Championship’s Player of the Year.
“I went to play alongside grown men who played week in, week out to put food on the table for their families and all the rest of it.
“After I’d had that four- or five-month loan spell there I went back to Liverpool, I sat down with my Dad and I said: ‘Do you know what? I need more of that.’
“I don’t think that’s a lack of desire. I had the odd occasion where I would go up to Melwood and train with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. I could have signed an extended three-year contract, stayed at Liverpool and not played.
“But I wanted to work hard. I wanted to go out and play. At that point, Ian Holloway, the Blackpool manager at the time, gave me the chance to express myself and I took it. I will always be grateful for that.”
As for caring more about tattoos, Ince smiled: “I don’t have one! I think if I had a tattoo, my dad would probably kill me!”
after losing to Italy, Norway and even hosts Israel, while scoring just one goal – a penalty – in the process.
Ian Walton
The poor showing has led to a widespread belief that the players have been hyped up far too soon.
But Ince continued: “I don’t think it’s a case of us telling ourselves we are this and that. It was just the case that we didn’t turn up.
“We would be the first players to hold our hands up, but as far as people questioning the hunger and the desire to play in a major tournament and win it… no, I don’t think that’s the case at all.
“Look at the campaign that this England Under-21 side has gone through over the last two years to actually get to the Euros – we won nearly every game and we didn’t concede that many goals.
“It’s very difficult for certain players.
“Look at the likes of Wilfried Zaha, who has had a very long season. He went to the Play-Off Final with Crystal Palace then comes to the Euros.
“Look at Danny Rose, who had a tough season at Sunderland [on loan from Spurs], who were fighting relegation.
“I wouldn’t say it’s down to tiredness, but it has been a long season for a lot of the players. Then factor in the travelling and the fact that the games come so quickly.
“Maybe we were not ready for all of that. I don’t know.
Ian Walton
“All we can do is reflect on it and say that we need to do a lot better. Every single player knows that.”
Pearce’s position has been called into question, and talks with the FA are planned. But Ince has backed him to stay in his job.
He went on: “I’ve only had seven caps for the Under-21s.
“It was only really late on that I managed to work with him. But being an ex-player himself – and a good one – it is great to be under his management and I know a lot of the young players in the squad would want to be under his management again.”
It says a great deal for the Tangerines’ wideman that he has stepped out of the shadow of his father and is seen as a rising star in his own right.
His 18 goals, combined with his consistent performances, saw him voted Championship Young Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 campaign.
He is now expected to move to the Premier League, and is being linked with Liverpool (the club he left to join Blackpool, Tottenham, Crystal Palace,Cardiff and Swansea.
He went on: “I am going to go on holiday. When I get back in a few weeks, I’ll sit down with my dad and the chairman and go from there.
“If I am still a Blackpool player next season I will give 110 per cent – more than I did last season. I’ll be trying to get Blackpool back to where they should be – challenging at the top end of the division.
“If not, and I move on, then I have to make sure it’s the right club for me and the right time to go. Me and my dad have always said that it’s about timing, making sure I am taking the right step and not ending up at a team where you’re not going to play in the majority of games.
“I don’t expect, at 21, to play week-in, week-out at any Premier League club. There is no guarantee in football you are going to play at any club.
“I just want to make sure that I don’t stop my development. I want to make sure I keep playing and keep enjoying my football.”
Click here for , in which he detailed how his father’s tough love helped make him a better player.
Thomas Ince wears Warrior’s new Gambler Pro FG boot. To learn more, visit
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is under orders to score more goals – from his dad.
Arsenal midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain finished the season on a high by stadium.
But that was only the fifth time he’d netted all season – and three of those came with Three Lions, rather than a cannon, on his chest.
Now, Oxlade-Chamberlain has set himself a target of becoming prolific in front of goal – and revealed the text messages from his father, former England winger Mark Chamberlain, which inspired his glorious night in Rio.
Chamberlain – who in front of the TV – sets starlet targets and goals are top of the agenda for next season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “Dad sent me a text before the Brazil game saying, ‘Make sure you do something good.’
“The next day he sent another one which said, ‘I like it when you listen to me.’
“My dad wants me to score more goals. He’s always telling me to do that. He’s right, because I want me to score more goals – I know that’s one of the things I need to improve on for next season.
“I want to improve my overall game. You can always keep learning and getting better. I know I still have a lot to do.
“What I want to do is kick on next season. It was a dream end to the season, to score at the Maracana.
“It was a good end for Arsenal as well [as they on the final day, pipping arch-rivals Spurs in the process]. And when I get back for pre-season, I will be really looking forward to next season.”
Ian Volger / Daily Mirror
Oxlade-Chamberlain fulfilled another dream in Rio when he met Brazilian World Cup 2002 hero Ronaldo at a Nike promotional event.
“I met up with him the next day, but I’m not sure that my goal particularly impressed him,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“It’s bread and butter to a guy like Ronaldo. He used to do that all of the time. I think it would take a lot to impress him. But he impressed me – I was just happy to meet him.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is now going away on holiday, and accepts he will have to hit the ground running next season for club and country.
England are sweating on their World Cup qualification hopes with the Group wide open after Ukraine won in Montenegro last Friday.
It leaves Roy Hodgson’s men (with 12 points from six games) in with Ukraine (11 from six) and Montenegro (14 from seven), and at risk of missing out on even a play-off for a place in Brazil next summer.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain insists England, who host Moldova and visit Ukraine in early September and entertain Montenegro and Poland in mid-October, must remember their fate is still in their own hands.
He said: “We can’t control what other teams do, we must focus on ourselves, what we need to improve on and what we need to keep on doing.
“I’m sure the coaches will go away and watch endless hours of footage from the [Montenegro v Ukraine] game. It’s their job to look at the other teams. But, as players, we have to stay focused on our team. The most important thing is our qualifiers coming up.
“I’ve really enjoyed the season, but it’s time to switch off now for a few weeks and make sure I’m recharged and ready for next season.
“We have got a nice little break now – four weeks to rest up and make sure we hit the ground running for both our clubs and also for the England qualifiers.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s other target is to hold down a regular place at Arsenal, while in the long term his ambition is to play more in central midfield than out wide.
He added: “It’s not really for me to say (where I play) at this stage. I need to make sure, whether I’m asked to play in the middle or out wide, that I put in good performances and develop my game so I can be called up in different positions.
“I grew up as a more natural midfielder, so whenever I get the opportunity to come on in midfield I try to do so and I’m happy and excited to show that I’ve got some attributes in midfield.
“I’m only going to get better in that position with game time and when I’m out wide I’ve got to improve my game and keep improving just in general.
“When the opportunities are to come on in the middle, I’ve got to try to show that I can take them – that I’ve got another side to my game if you like.”
Click here to watch (well, a flight simulator version of one)
New Wigan boss Owen Coyle could scoop a £1million bonus if he guides the Latics back to the Premier League.
as successor to new Everton manager Roberto Martinez on a 12-month rolling contract also believed to be worth £1m – a figure which will double if the Scot delivers promotion.
The 46-year-old pipped ex-England chief Steve McClaren to the job at the Championship club and Wigan owner Dave Whelan has given the former Bolton and Burnley manager two years to lead the Latics back to the top flight.
“Getting back into the Premier League is our priority,” said Whelan, who announced Coyle’s appointment even before contract talks had finished.
“I know we are in Europe next season, but our main aim is to get Wigan back in the Premier League in the next two years.
“That’s what I told Owen and if anybody can get us back, I think he’s the man to do it.”
Some Wigan supporters are unsure about Coyle because he took Premier League Bolton down last year before being sacked in October, but Whelan has shrugged off that setback.
He highlighted Coyle’s success in winning promotion to the top flight with Burnley and his preference for playing attacking football.
Whelan added: “A lot of Wigan fans remember him for getting Burnley up and also at Bolton, where he had a tough time. But sometimes these things happen.
“I’ve got to say, of all the candidates that applied, I thought he was the best.
“Steve McClaren was a very good candidate, but Owen came across as being, by far, the best for the job.”
Coyle agreed that his new club must bounce back quickly.
He insisted: “I think everyone recognises that Wigan are a fantastic club led by a superb chairman and they want to get back to the Premier League.
“It was a blow to lose that status and we’ve got to get back as quickly as possible.”
Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he needs to win titles after finally being .
Pellegrini knows the pressure is on him to succeed after Roberto Mancini was sacked for winning nothing last season.
“Everyone knows that if you arrive at a club like Manchester City you need to win titles,” said the former Real Madrid boss after the worst-kept secret in football was officially revealed.
“Manchester City have invested a lot of money to improve the squad, to try every year to win titles.
“It was not successful this time, but I am sure in the next years we will win maybe the Premier League and the Champions League. We will try to win the lot.”
City were impressed by Pellegrini’s record in the Champions League and he reached the quarter-finals in his debut campaigns with Villarreal and Malaga.
“All my experience will help me,” said the Chilean, who won two league titles in Argentina and officially takes over on June 24 .
“With Malaga, I reached the quarter-final of the Champions League and with Villarreal the quarter-final and semi-final.
“All my experience will be very useful to arrive in Manchester and win the Champions League.”
Pellegrini, 59, is confident he can because of the talented squad he is inheriting.
“I think we have wonderful players, who can reach for titles in the next three or four seasons here in Manchester,” he said. “Everything is in place for Manchester City to continue to be successful and I’m excited to work with such a talented squad.”
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Manuel is a highly-experienced and successful manager with a proven track record.”
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by building sides that played open football, and he feels this is the best way to deliver success at City.
“My first message is to tell all the fans of Manchester City that they will enjoy the season,” he said. “It will be an attractive and offensive style of play.
“I’m sure all of us together will reach the targets Manchester City deserves. I like attractive, attacking football. I like all the people who come that they can see a wonderful show – maybe show is not the right word – but they will enjoy the way we play.
“We are not going to be a team that scores a goal then goes back waiting for a counter-attack.”
City are prepared to back 59-year-old Pellegrini’s beliefs, and their signings of and ( for our scouting report on Navas) show they are committed to his philosophy.
The Blues hope Spain Under-21 midfielder , and the South American aims to build on the foundations laid by Roberto Mancini.
“I think Roberto did a great job in Manchester,” he said. “He won the title after 44 years. But now we are starting a new cycle, a new style of club.
“We want to add to what Roberto has done over the years. But I hope we will start another way of playing.
“I have one month before I start. I have a lot to do to start the new season, to work with the players and see how far we can advance. I am sure we are going to have a very good season.
“I know a lot of the players in the squad. Pablo Zabaleta was a junior player at San Lorenzo when I was there. I know the players who have played in Spain – Sergio Aguero, David Silva – a lot of the players in the squad.”
The former Chile international, after studying for a civil engineering degree as his playing days came to an end, also promised City fans he would give his all for the club and is confident together they can fulfil their goals.
He does not anticipate any problems adjusting to the Premier League and says he is used to managing in different countries.
“I can tell the fans I work very hard, I am very persistent,” said Pellegrini. “I always get the best of players that work with me.
“Together, my way of working, with the wonderful players and all the fans, I think we can do a great job for the City supporters. That’s what I can tell them.
“I’m sure 100 per cent I will not have any problems being in the Premier League. I’ve worked in four different countries in my career – Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Spain. I’ve been in Spain for nine years.
PA
“I know a lot about the Premier League. I’ve played against Manchester United twice, and against Arsenal. I always see a match every weekend. I won’t have any problems.”
Pellegrini is an advocate of the "holistic approach" and intends to work closely with sporting director Txiki Begiristain and football administration officer Brian Marwood.
He accepts the demands from the board that City must produce more home-grown players to lessen the reliance on owner Sheikh Mansour’s chequebook.
“It’s very important my relationship with Txiki for the first-team squad and with Brian for the academy,” he said.
“The young players are important to develop better players. Every day we have to have contact with Brian.
“The club has invested a lot of money in young players and that’s one of my duties here. We want Manchester City to have one style in the way we play.
“It’s impossible for one club to invest a lot of money every year.
“Every year we must have one or two players arriving from the academy into the first team. That is one of my jobs and I will work with Brian Marwood to achieve that.”
Pellegrini welcomed Brian Kidd’s decision to be part of his revolution.
Kidd is the only survivor from Mancini’s coaching team and will continue as Blues assistant manager, along with the Chilean’s trusted right-hand man Ruben Cousillas.
“It’s very important for me that he stays,” said Pellegrini. “He knows the club and the Premier League. He has a lot of experience.”
One of the newcomer’s first acts may be to to AC Milan.
Alex Livesey
Talks between Milan chief Adriano Galliani and Tevez’ representative, Kia Joorabchian took place in the city, although he also met with Juventus.
Milan, though, are the preferred option with Tevez – who will link up again with former City team-mate Mario Balotelli – understood to be willing to accept his basic wage being cut from £130,000 per week to nearer £100,000.
Agreement appears to be likely on a four-year contract although City will hold out for the highest possible fee, of at least £25million.
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