How Manchester City fans feel about their manager is not in doubt.
Sergio Aguero’s last minute goal clinched City their first league title in 44 years, meaning every single member of playing and management staff will have their names in the history books.
An opinion post on HITC Sport on Friday from one of our contributors was not so complimentary about manager Roberto Mancini, suggesting the achievement was made despite him.
Our site has a number of bloggers, with various viewpoints, everybody is entitled to an opinion, as are our readers to comment – That is what football debate is all about.
Here’s my opinion on why Roberto Mancini was a key asset in Manchester City winning the league.
Roberto Mancini’s actions and words in the final days of the season will be remembered for years.
‘Mind games’ have often been described as a media invention, an attempt to add further spice to already exciting title battles.
Kevin Keegan’s meltdown in 1996 was a visual breakdown of so-called mind games, while Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have juked it out in days gone by.
Eight points behind after the defeat to Arsenal, Mancini notoriously declared his side had ‘no chance’ of winning the Premier League title.
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He kept up this ruse, as United dropped points bit by bit, he refused to acknowledge his side had a chance of lifting the trophy until they had won 2-0 at Newcastle in the penultimate game.
In truth, Mancini’s season was about far more than mind games. He was stern, tough, and respectful all at the same time.
The critique on Friday focused on Balotelli and Tevez, and the spending power available to him. Let’s address them one by one.
Mario Balotelli has this season enhanced his reputation as a talent on the field and a miscreant off it.
Days after setting off fireworks in his Manchester apartment, he helped tear Manchester United apart at Old Trafford in one of the season’s most memorable games.
The 21-year-old scored 17 goals this season, every one important. He provided just one Premier League assist, but it was the most vital of any, setting up Aguero for the team’s winner against QPR.
His sending off against Arsenal was his nadir, and Mancini was right to criticise him. The mistake manager’s can fall into at times is refusing the condemn the actions of their players when they are clearly in the wrong.
Witness Kenny Dalglish’s staunch defence of Luis Suarez after him refusing the shake Patrice Evra’s hand. At times you cannot justify the indefensible.
Mancini did right by Balotelli, and when the Italian got his chance again, he made it count.
As for the Carlos Tevez saga, both manager and player should readily admit the stand off did neither any favours, most of all the club itself.
Tevez coming back was a gamble in respect to the manager’s reputation, but not when it came to the football side, with City needing the inspiration, Tevez gave the side a much-needed jolt.
Football changes daily. You only have to look at Andy Carroll, who would have been seventh or eighth in line for an England start at Euro 2012 months ago, yet now he is likely to take the starting spot.
If Mancini says a player will not play for the club again, it is his right to change his mind. He can point to the league trophy as a proof the decision was justified. There is little point discussing the if’s and but’s had they not been successful.
As for the money argument, this is one which is the most difficult to convince on. The other day we had an Aston Villa supporter remark about City that anybody could have won the title with his funds.
A statement like that is not only discourteous to Mancini, but it does also not take into account football history.
Recent years have proved that spending sprees do not guarantee success. PSG in France lost the title to surprise package Montpellier, and big-spending Liverpool finished an embarrassing eighth last year.
Mancini earned the right to be at Manchester City and spend their riches through his time at Inter Milan. Prior to that Mark Hughes spent millions yet could not get City close to winning the league. Jose Mourinho, one of the world’s most lauded managers, has had huge financial backing at Chelsea and Real Madrid.
The Italian has arguably won the league ahead of schedule too, after finishing third last year, a close second still would have been progression this season, to win the title was simply be an amazing bonus before the expectation to win it next season.
Now City’s squad and players can thrive next year with the pressure off, and enjoy the spotlight as champions and not challengers. Mancini has been a key part of that, and will look to lead them into the Champions League knockout stages next season.
Will Mancini make it two in a row next season?
image: © andybrannan
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