He’s best in the world - Cazorla: City target Pellegrini will find Prem no problem

Posted Sunday, May 19, 2013 by thesun.co.uk

OLD PALS' ACT ... Santi Cazorla and Manuel Pellegrini during their Malaga days

SANTI CAZORLA has told Manchester City to expect the spectacular if Manuel Pellegrini is installed as the club’s new boss.

Malaga coach Pellegrini is set to be appointed as Roberto Mancini’s successor at the Etihad.

And Arsenal playmaker Cazorla knows exactly what City can expect if they put the Chilean in charge.

Cazorla played under Pellegrini twice — first at Villarreal before following his mentor to Malaga.

And the Gunners star has no doubt the 59-year-old will settle in quickly to the Premier League and make a quick impression as City launch their bid to reclaim the title.

Cazorla said: “What can I say about Manuel Pellegrini? He has been very important for my career.

“As a manager, he has shown he is at the top level in Madrid, Malaga and Villarreal. He made his mark.

“With Manchester City, if he goes there, he’ll do spectacular things and they will get better as a team.

“He’ll adapt to the Premier League. He’ll change City’s style but the players he has got, they’ll adapt very well. I hope the best for him.

“If he goes to City, he deserves that and I’ll be happy for him.”

Pellegrini’s work in transforming Villarreal and Malaga into La Liga heavyweights has earned the manager plenty of praise.

But his failure to land a trophy during an unsuccessful one-season spell at Real Madrid has raised questions about his ability to work at the very highest level.

Yet Cazorla has no doubt his old coach can cope with the intense demands of the City hierarchy, who showed a ruthless edge in sacking Mancini 12 months after delivering the club’s first title in 44 years.

The Spain ace added: “He’s ready as he likes pressure. He’s ready for any team.

“In Madrid, he didn’t have the luck. It doesn’t mean he’s not able to be at any club in the world.”

Pellegrini has another Premier League fan in Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Saints chief reckons pal Pellegrini is one of the best bosses in the world.

The two became good friends when both were managing in La Liga — Pochettino at Espanyol and Pellegrini at Real Madrid.

Pochettino said: “I’ve known Manuel for a long time.

“It’ll be great for the Premier League if he chooses to come and manage Manchester City.

“He’s one of the best managers in the world.

“If one of the greatest managers in the world is able to come to the Premier League that can only be good for English football. Manuel has the necessary credentials and experience to succeed in the Premier League.

“He has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, so City won’t faze him.”

Pellegrini will become only the fourth South American to manage in the Premier League after Ossie Ardiles, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Pochettino himself.

Argentine Pochettino — who still speaks only pigeon English — insists the Malaga boss will have no difficulty acclimatising. Pochettino, who replaced the sacked Nigel Adkins only in January, said: “Manuel will have no problem adapting to the league.

“Myself and my coaching staff have only been here for four months and I think we have adapted to English football and the English way of life very quickly.

“In those four months we have learnt a lot about ourselves and about the league we are competing in.

“There is no formula for adapting and everyone is different but, knowing him as I do, I don’t have any concerns about how quickly he will adapt.”