Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester City know full well how hard it has been to defend the Premier League title after winning English football’s top prize in 2012 and 2014.
And despite their differences in tactics and philosophy over the years Pellegrini has backed his rival manager Jose Mourinho to pull the Chelsea out of their slump.
They may have had some bitter disagreements over their years in football together but Pellegrini was sympathetic to the pressure that the Portuguese has been under this season after Chelsea’s poor start to the season.
Mourinho will be in the Chelsea dugout for their game against Liverpool this weekend despite incurring an FA misconduct charge after being sent to the stand during Chelsea’s defeat against West Ham last weekend.
The Portuguese already has a suspended one-match stadium ban for suggesting that officials were “afraid” to give Chelsea decisions although it will not take effect if Mourinho is found guilty of the misconduct charge.
“All managers have some bad moments in their career.” said the Chilean.
“It’s normal so I hope that, because he’s an important manager, he will arrange his team because I think he has already demonstrated what he can do.
“They are champions of the Premier League this year.” added Pellegrini who refused to rule out Chelsea from this season’s title race.
“Mathematics will say when you can do it and when you can’t do it.
“We have enough points to play for and I am sure if they win they will be involved in the title or in the first position of the table.
“They will continue to be a strong team. Maybe they are not in their best moment but they will improve.”
Pellegrini, and former City manager Roberto Mancini before him, know full well how hard it is to defend the Premier League title, hinting that it could be difficult to keep a title-winning squad focussed and motivated for the following season against the overall competitiveness of the Premier League.
“Some relax, maybe nobody wants to have it, but that can normally happen.
“It’s also difficult because all the other teams who couldn’t win the title last time are stronger this season because they don’t want to be twice without silverware.
“There’s a lot of reasons why it’s difficult but for me the most important thing is because you have five very strong teams here in England and all of them can win the title.”