Monday 25 February 2019 15:31, UK
Ahead of his return to Manchester City with West Ham, Manuel Pellegrini reflected on his "beautiful" three years at the club, while insisting Financial Fair Play sanctions affected success.
Pellegrini joined City in the summer of 2013, and steered his side to the Premier League title in his first season, becoming the first manager outside of Europe to claim the Premier League crown.
City were adjudged to have breached FFP rules in the summer of 2014, which limited their net spend to £49m ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, and Pellegrini believes such sanctions contributed to Chelsea taking City's title at the end of the season.
"It was three beautiful years, especially when we won the Premier League," Pellegrini said. "It was a team that had a very successful season, not only when we won the league and the cup, but also the team that scored the most goals [in a season] in the history of English football [a record broken by City last season].
"The second year was much more difficult. We finished second in the league and could not win the title because we were punished by the UEFA Financial Fair Play. We could not strengthen our squad. It is so important when you win titles to add to a squad.
"In the third season we won the cup again and arrived in third season in the Champions League, we lost against Real Madrid with an own goal. I was very happy there, the fans enjoyed the football that we played - I have only happy memories."
Pellegrini, affectionately referred to as "This Charming Man" by City fans, takes his West Ham side to the Etihad on Wednesday, where victory for his side could seriously dent his former employers' title aspirations.
City picked up the first silverware of the season with victory over Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, but Pellegrini feels City playing 120 minutes ahead of Wednesday's clash will have no bearing on the outcome, while insisting a potential quadruple for City is not out of the question.
"To play 120 minutes is a long game, but they have a strong squad and they can do the changes that they want," Pellegrni added. "They will continue to have the best squad in the Premier League.
"Of course, for the manager, to choose the best players is the best way, but I repeat, two or three injured players will not affect the strength of the squad. We played without eight or nine all season.
"All is possible in football. The longer you stay in all tournaments the more difficult it is, in one week you might have to play four games, but of course you can do it ."
Manuel Lanzini is set for a place on the bench again on Wednesday night after Pellegrini vowed not to rush him back from injury.
The midfielder impressed on his comeback from a torn ACL, suffered while on Argentina duty prior to the World Cup, as a late substitute against Fulham last Friday.
"We must be careful with him," said Pellegrini. "He played 15 minutes and did very well. The important thing is he is not afraid of playing or worried about his knee, so we will try to give him more minutes in every game.
"He is fine, but we must be careful with the way we improve his minutes to avoid a muscle injury."
