New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been treated to a grand tour around the club’s Carrington training ground and the Etihad stadium, as the Chilean prepares to launch his assault on the Premier League title.
Pellegrini officially started work with City yesterday, after jetting in to Manchester airport on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday, he was driven from his current base at the Raddison Hotel to be given an access-all-areas guide of his new club.
Proud history, bright future? Manuel looks at a list of his his predecessors
New start: Pellegrini settles in to his new office
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Approach: Photographers caught Pellegrini getting to grips with his surroundings
Spoilt for choice: Pellegrini gets to grips with his squad for this coming season
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The tour began with Pellegrini being shown around his new office at Carrington – complete with light blue wallpaper and blinds, a Manchester City tactics board and a Mac computer – and culminated in the players lounge at the Etihad Stadium, after which the former Malaga and Real Madrid boss posed for pictures with supporters.
He was then introduced to the hi-tech facilities on offer at the club’s training base, including the Carrington gym, where Pellegrini met young striker John Giudetti, who the Chilean attempted to sign for Malaga last year.
The 21-year-old Swede is trying to recover his fitness after suffering a knee injury that ruled him out for much of last season.
All smiles: Pellegrini seemed to be relishing starting work at Carrington
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Right-hand man: The Chilean was joined by Brian Kidd at the training ground
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Pellegrini was joined on the tour by Brian Kidd – who remains on the City coaching staff despite Roberto Mancini’s departure – and they then headed to meet all those working behind the scenes, including Kit Man Les Chapman and the club’s medical staff.
Pellegrini also took time to take in the history of the club he will be managing, as he stood and read the names of City’s former managers.
He also appears to have a keen attention-to-detail, checking the length of the grass on the training ground before enquiring with the groundsmen about the under-soil heating system in place at Carrington.Â
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Home from home: Manuel checks out the dressing room at the Etihad
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Hallowed ground: Pellegrini walks out on the Etihad’s pitch
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It was also pointed out to Pellegrini that City have built a new fence by the pitches at Carrington, as they attempt to avoid the kind of controversies that emerged when former manager Mancini was snapped wrestling with Mario Balotelli last season.
The tour then rolled into the Etihad Stadium, where Pellegrini seemed equally impressed by the brand new warm-up gym.
He was then taken to the home changing room, where Pellegrini will be hoping to make his impact with the players, before finally heading out through the tunnel and to the side of the Etihad pitch – where he will be hoping to lift trophies in the coming years.
Return to glory: Pellegrini will look to bring success back to City after a trophyless season
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The road ahead: The tour finished in the players lounge at the Etihad
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PS: Filling in for Mancini in more ways than one….
Pellegrini was also seen dining at Roberto Mancini’s favourite restaurant, San Carlo in Manchester, on Monday night.
The Chilean even sat at the Italian’s favourite table, and will be hoping to repeat Mancini’s feat of topping a different table come May.
Same habits: Pellegrini ate at the same restaurant and same table as Mancini’s favourite Italian
