Man City’s Display at Swansea Further Evidence They Desperately Need Change

The curtain came down on Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure at Manchester City in unspectacular fashion with a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

His side lacked cohesion and quality, but their point was enough to secure the fourth spot and, with it, UEFA Champions League football for next season—the minimum requirement for a side with as much quality as City.

A wave of relief washed over the away fans at the final whistle—relief, of course, that their top-four place was confirmed, but also relief that the season was over. It had dragged on in frustrating fashion, with City limping toward the finish line, their frailties exposed time and again.

City’s squad is too old to compete for multiple titles, and the performance against Swansea, which was defined by its lethargy and insipidness, was further evidence of that.

There was also relief that Pellegrini’s time in charge had come to an end. It’s been a mixed three years that included some wonderful highs in the first season and an impressive Champions League performance this year. However, it had to end, with City desperately in need of a new direction.

There can be no hiding place for Pellegrini. His last Premier League campaign in charge of the club has been nothing short of a disaster. City’s final tally of 66 points and 71 goals is way below what is expected, and it’s a step down from what they managed in the Chilean’s first season in charge.

That glorious debut campaign saw the club’s first league-and-cup double secured in style. Pellegrini took a dispirited, fractured squad and turned them into winners again.

The harmony …

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