Oh no he didn’t! *sassy double click*
Manuel Pellegrini’s stint at Manchester City may be in danger of coming to an underwhelming end in a matter of days, but it’s easy to forget that he has been the most successful manager in England during his time at the Etihad. And he has done it all with immense grace and dignity.
Whilst other managers busy themselves with petty squabbles and crude mind games, the softly spoken Chilean prefers his channel his energies into simply coaching his side and keeping a low personal profile. Courting controversy is not his style and many applaud his refined demeanour.
That said, Sunday’s draw with Arsenal means fourth place is now out of City’s hands. If their arch-rivals Manchester United win their remaining two games, it is they rather than the Citizens who will quality for the Champions League next season. It doesn’t bode well for his successor, Pep Guardiola.
Not that Pellegrini seems to care all that much, judging from comments that are spreading on like wildfire on social media. In a very out of character jab at the incoming Catalan, the 62-year-old former Real Madrid man has supposedly expressed demob happy indifference to City’s fate.
https://twitter.com/SunGossip/status/729353565026852864
The Chilean is reported to have given the following answer when asked about the ramifications of failing to achieve a Champions League qualifying position: “If there’s no Champions League football next year that’s Guardiola’s problem, not mine.” All that’s missing from the ‘burn’ is a fire emoji.
Now call us cynical but we found the quote somewhat dubious, and it seems our scepticism was justified. The false statement looks to have originated from a fake Twitter account purporting to be ‘Sun Gossip’. That hasn’t stopped rival fans everywhere swallowing it with relish and RTing it to high heaven.
Here are just some of the (mistakenly) joyous responses to the faux utterance. It just goes to show the old saying holds true: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…
Pellegrini : "If City don't play CL next season it's Guardiola's problem" pic.twitter.com/6DAjn08d4P
— Nick L 🗯 (@Uber_Blogger) May 8, 2016
"If there's no Champions League football next year that's Guardiola's problem, not mine." – Pellegrini https://t.co/VYZi6Ppjc0
— Ty Pink (@TyPink11) May 8, 2016
Pellegrini says that its Guardiola's problem if he bottles top 4, what a guy. pic.twitter.com/QhZ39ChOiZ
— Wicked Gyal Marsha. (@Keith_a_Trip_) May 8, 2016
Love it Pellegrini: "If there's no Champions League football next year that's Guardiola's problem, not mine." #MCFC pic.twitter.com/hVsMpvNNoK
— . (@SameoldUtd_) May 8, 2016
Pellegrini: "If there's no CL football next year that's Guardiola's problem, not mine." pic.twitter.com/ZmDt9Qxdid
— Jonanzzy➐ (@andryschurrle) May 8, 2016
If there's no Champions League football next year that's Guardiola's problem, not mine – Manuel Pellegrini pic.twitter.com/VMWspCRRGA
— mufcshirts (@mufcshirts) May 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/Tom77Bell/status/729367601516793856
Pellegrini: "If there's no Champions League football next year that's Guardiola's problem, not mine."
He be like: pic.twitter.com/WpOTqrM5i1
— Harsha (@VintageMUFC) May 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/Gfox_1/status/729362659670405120
https://twitter.com/JohnDavies350/status/729357896232898563
