But, as we know all too well in the modern game, money changes everything, and oh how it has changed life in the blue half of Manchester. Gone are the days of Manchester City being something of a lovable underdog when compared to their all-conquering rivals, and those days of yore have been wholly replaced by City's relatively new ambitions of being one of the very best clubs in Europe.
Unquestionably, success, or at least in the form expected, did not come easily at first under Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's ownership. Mark Hughes couldn't reach the heights now envisioned, and it was only under Roberto Mancini's leadership that Manchester City enjoyed the glory that had evaded them for so long. City fans of prior generations would have never believed you if you told them that City would eventually win the FA Cup and the league in consecutive years, but indeed, the once unattainable was realized through Mancini and City's new wealth.
That is not to say, however, that Mancini's time in charge was completely spotless. Very public spats with Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli (ad nauseam) served to illustrate some of the drama that resulted from the myriads of egos on offer, whether those of the players or Mancini himself, and Manchester City's European exploits have been disappointing at best in the last couple of seasons. Mancini has also drawn some criticism at times for tactics and substitutions respectively, but in all fairness, the same could be said for most managers, regardless of stature.
One has to believe that Manchester City's shocking loss to Wigan in the FA Cup final, while highly disappointing and closing the door on City's last chance at a trophy this season, was not the final straw that led to Mancini's dismissal. No, the storm clouds have been gathering for some time this season, especially after City's limp exit from the Champions League, and only maintaining contact with Manchester United at the top of the table could have spelled any reprieve for Mancini. That didn't happen.
All of the hot talk in the press seems to suggest that Malaga's Manuel Pellegrini is next in line for the Manchester City job, and on the surface, especially after his own experience with the maddening expectations at Real Madrid, it would seem that he'd be a highly suitable replacement. The travesty in all of this, however, is that Manchester City are searching for a replacement at all. Perhaps there was more going on behind the scenes that few of us could ever be privy to, but regardless, an FA Cup win, a Premier League, and a second place finish in the league over the last three campaigns would logically suggest that Mancini had earned at least one more season at the Etihad. Yet, in this day and age of rich owners expecting only the best, forever and always, logic has a tendency to be left outside on the doorstep.
If indeed Pellegrini is Manchester City's new man, he certainly knows the hazards of taking this job and all that goes with it. This isn't your grandfather's Manchester City he's dealing with at all.
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