Arsenal star Santi Cazorla believes Manuel Pellegrini, the favourite to be the new Manchester City manager, will have a huge impact at the Etihad Stadium.
Cazorla played under Pellegrini at Villareal and Malaga before moving to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal last summer.
And after a highly successful first year at the Emirates in which he scored 12 goals and assisted 13 more, he lauded the impact of the Chilean boss on his career.
“With Manchester City, if he goes there, he’ll do spectacular things and they will get better as a team,” he told The Sun.
“As a manager, he has shown he is at the top level in Madrid, Malaga and Villareal. He made his mark.
“He’ll adapt to the Premier League. He’ll change City’s style but the players he has got, they’ll adapt very well. I hope the best for him.
“If he goes to City, he deserves that and I’ll be happy for him. He has been very important for my career.”
And Spaniard Cazorla played down suggestions the 59-year-old lacks the big-game experience to replace Roberto Mancini, who was sacked last week.
In Pellegrini’s solitary year at Spanish giants Real Madrid he failed to win a trophy, finishing second in La Liga despite recording 96 points.
“In Madrid, he didn’t have the luck,” Cazorla added. “It doesn’t mean he’s not able to be at any club in the world.
“He’s ready as he likes pressure. He’s ready for any team.”
Image courtesy of The Guardian, via YouTube, with thanks
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