Manuel Pellegrini has had a great season (Picture: Getty)

There’s a theory among many Manchester City fans that, during the course of this season, their team has been, relatively, ignored. I think they’re right.

More column inches, I’d imagine, have been devoted to the unexpected rise of Liverpool, the torment and decline of David Moyes and Manchester United and, possibly, Arsenal’s trophy chase. Also, there have been sackings galore, training-ground bust-ups at Swansea, Poyet and Pulis’ miracles, Pardew’s headbutt… the list goes on.

The fact City have not been backpage news more often is something their fans might have to get used to, and the reason is Manuel Pellegrini.



In his first season, he has barely put a foot wrong, and he’s hit the mute button on the noise created during Roberto Mancini’s era.


Aesthetically, he has brought a more attractive style of football to the Etihad Stadium, and while he has had a pile of money to help him, he still had to compile the right shopping list. But it goes deeper than that.

The Chilean has not had a penis-waving contest with his fellow managers, indulged in petulance or ranted and raved at the unfairness of refereeing decisions or fixture congestion. When he has had to make a point, he’s mainly been measured and respectful, almost to the point of being boring.

They’ve had injuries, like everyone, and just coped with it. Sergio Aguero has only played 22 league games, Vincent Kompany has missed ten.

Yes, they have the millions to build a squad full of stars, but don’t underestimate the task of keeping those same players happy and motivated.

The squad itself has not divided, nor has a star player declared himself homesick. There has been no public airing of dirty laundry, which reflects well on the club and Pellegrini himself.

His handling of Joe Hart’s dip in form is a fine example of his ability to deal with the business of managing under the microscope. He dropped him for the good of the team, assured him that he was still No.1, and brought him back bigger and stronger, to the benefit of club and country.

And finally, there’s Edin Dzeko, who started the season knowing Alvaro Negredo and Aguero were higher up the pecking order, yet he’s the man who, in recent weeks, has pushed Manchester City to within a majestic David Silva pass of a second title in three years.

If I was a Citizen, I’d enjoy the silence.