As Manuel Pellegrini gears up to pack his things and vacate the managerial seat at Manchester City, the Chilean manager admits to holding regrets over the manner in which he announced his inevitable departure from the English giants.
The Premier League heavyweights announced back in February that Spanish tactician Pep Guardiola will be taking over the helm at the Etihad once this season ended, but this confirmation came only after Pellegrini went public with the news.
The announcement was immediately followed by a series of disappointing results, falling to three consecutive defeats in all competitions to finish in fourth place in the standings. This is despite the fact that the Citizens were sitting in 2nd and trailing eventual champions Leicester by three points prior to the confirmation.
"After Guardiola said he was coming to England it was my decision [to go public] because all the media was talking about Guardiola here, Guardiola in Arsenal, Guardiola in Manchester United," the Chilean told the Guardian.
The one-time Premier League winning-boss admitted that his move had an effect on his player, hinting that he would do things differently if given the opportunity.
"It was not fair for all managers - when everyone knew he was coming here. If I ask if I would do that again... I have some doubts.
“Yes. I am very self-critical about what I do. Always. I don't want to use [this] as an excuse but it was so difficult to work after that - not for me, for the players.
"It's impossible to know if it was the right decision but when you see the consequence of losing immediately three games in a row, when you are winning the last five or something...
"The most difficult thing in a group is when you break something. Something was broken in that moment."
