FC analysts Janusz Michallik and Craig Burley assess Manuel Pellegrini’s chances of getting the sack this season and go through the list of candidates who could be his replacement.
MANCHESTER — Manuel Pellegrini says Manchester City players would never behave like their Chelsea counterparts and surround a referee to put pressure on him to send an opponent off.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Chelsea acted like “babies” when nine of their players crowded around Dutch official Bjorn Kuipers ahead of the Sweden captain’s red card for a challenge on Oscar in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg.
Jose Mourinho’s team, who were eliminated on away goals following the 2-2 draw, were branded “disgraceful” by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for their reaction and they have been widely criticised.
And City manager Pellegrini, who has long insisted his beliefs are very different to those of Mourinho, is adamant that his side would not resort to such methods.
“You will never see a City player surround the referee,” he told a news conference. “Maybe you can discuss with the referee about a decision, but just one moment in the game. But I don’t think that’s the way this team is prepared to win.”
Kuipers was criticised for his performance at Stamford Bridge, but Pellegrini had sympathy for the referee.
The Chilean also feels he is trying to succeed in a more ethical way than some managers, adding: “I think all the managers prepare their players to win. There are different styles of winning. Maybe when you are winning the style doesn’t matter. When you don’t win and then start to criticise, I can’t accept that.
“Every time the referee has a decision you have all the players on top of him and it’s impossible for the referee to work. I always say that it’s very important to win — for me the most important thing is to win — but I think there are different ways to win. You must analyse which is the correct way and which is not the correct way.
Manuel Pellegrini does not want to see his players surround a referee like Chelsea did.
“I’m not talking about Chelsea. I’m talking about a lot of things that happen in different games with different teams but they always work in trying to pressure the referee in every decision, so the referee always has problems.
“A lot of media here say these are mind games, intelligent mind games.”
City are waiting to discover whether James Milner will sign a new contract with the club or leave on a free transfer in the summer.
And Pellegrini hinted that they cannot make an improved offer to the 29-year-old, who is reportedly a target for Liverpool and of interest to several foreign clubs.
“Maybe City have already offered all that the club can offer. Maybe it’s not about more money, maybe there are different things to sign a new contract,” Pellegrini said. “You must ask James what is happening with him. I hope he will find an arrangement, but you cannot talk about City only.”
Pellegrini, whose side visit Burnley on Saturday, praised captain Vincent Kompany for his reaction to being dropped against Leicester in their last game.
“He’s responded well,” Pellegrini said. “There has been no problem. He’s a professional.”
PA Sport contributed to this report