Pellegrini set for talks with Tevez when he takes over at City

By Ian Ladyman

PUBLISHED: 23:02, 22 May 2013 | UPDATED: 07:16, 23 May 2013

Manchester City will appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager by the start of June and he will immediately open face-to-face talks with Carlos Tevez about his future at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini confirmed in Spain on Wednesday that he will leave Malaga when the La Liga season ends next week and it is understood that he will immediately begin work at City.

With players such Tevez, Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry all entering the final years of their contracts at City, they have been told that no talks will take place about their futures until Roberto Mancini’s replacement starts work.

Many of City’s players head straight to international duty when they return from their current tour of America and it is expected that the likes of Tevez will speak to Pellegrini on Monday June 3.

City would not comment on their plans for Mancini’s successor on Wednesday night, but Pellegrini gave an emotional speech in Spain and confirmed that he is on his way.

The Chilean said: ‘My coaching staff and I have separated from Malaga but our union with this city will be eternal.

‘We had a time with the club that was very rewarding. Everyone has the right to move on.

‘Sunday will be my last match at home and will be very exciting for me.

‘I’m not leaving due to the matter of money but looking for a project that allows me to develop my profession conveniently.’

With Mancini sacked last week towards the end of City’s disappointing season, City have been putting the finishing touches to an agreement with his replacement.

It is understood that Tevez in particular is keen to meet with City’s incoming coach to talk about the future. The former club captain has not ruled out signing a contract extension that would see him remain at the club for at least one season and, at the same time, protect City from losing him for nothing as a free agent next summer.

Players like Barry and Lescott are also keen to explore possibilities with Pellegrini, who is expected to make Malaga midfielder Isco and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani his first two signings.

One City player who does know Pellegrini is full-back Pablo Zabaleta, who played with him for San Lorenzo in Argentina. Zabaleta said: ‘His football is great – someone I know and trust has told me he is a superb manager now.

‘He did well when we were at San Lorenzo. He won the South American Cup . He had success there, he built a good team and then when he went to Villareal he took a club who had been in the third division to playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

‘They played Arsenal and were within a penalty kick of going to the final. He did great at Madrid as well and hopefully if he comes to City he can just carry that on with us.

‘He’s a very quiet person. But he likes to play attractive football. Also his record in Europe is great – and that’s something we haven’t done so well in recent seasons.

‘He won’t have a problem adapting to the Premier League – he can do that.

‘He’s worked in a lot of countries but it will be his first experience of managing in England. But when you have as much experience as he has, he will have everything very clear in his mind. He’s a clever person and he will know what to do when he takes over.

‘When you start off with a new experience like this, he will expect to do well straight away and if we work well he can be a success.

‘Pellegrini likes to play with two wingers – get the ball out wide. I think we will be more attackiore…