FIFA Coach of Year Nomination Highlights Respect Manuel Pellegrini Deserves

Manuel Pellegrini has been nominated for the FIFA Coach of the Year award after guiding Manchester City to Premier League and League Cup wins in his first season in English football.

The list, which also includes his old adversary Jose Mourinho, is recognition for the transformation at City under his guidance.

It signals some long-overdue praise for a manager who drastically altered the mood at City and guided his side to two trophies just months after Roberto Mancini’s reign had come to a spluttering end following a meek title defence and a poor performance in the FA Cup final against Wigan.

Back then, the squad appeared discordant and directionless—like it had run out of desire. Pellegrini instantly lifted the gloom, oversaw a swift player recruitment process that revolutionised their attacking play and led them to two pieces of major silverware.

However, he rarely received praise last season in the English press, overshadowed by Arsene Wenger during the first half of the campaign and then Brendan Rodgers as his Liverpool side looked likely to win their first Premier League title in 24 years.

Pellegrini was even overlooked for the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year award, voted for by managers across the four professional English leagues, despite turning City into the most dominant side domestically.

Asked how he felt about the nomination, Pellegrini told reporters: “Really, I knew today about that, but I think normally the managers that win the league in England, in Italy, in Spain, in Germany—the most important leagues in Europe—must be nominated.

“Also, the managers who won the World Cup or, in the case of the runner-up, Sabella, the Argentina manager, that is normal.

“It is more nice to win the league here in England than to be nominated, but one thing links with the other one.”

Pellegrini’s main concern now will be reaffirming City’s dominance this season. Chelsea look to be far stronger challengers than Liverpool were last season, and with the west Londoners already six points clear of City, reclaiming the title looks far from straightforward.

When it was put to him that Chelsea appear to have raised the bar this season, the Chilean disagreed: “I don’t know if you make the same question five or four games before we finish last season.

“It doesn’t change what you think about Liverpool. Maybe the seasons are not the same but last year we were six points [behind] the leaders who were Arsenal and after Arsenal came Chelsea and Liverpool and Everton and Tottenham and Southampton so they were all strong teams above us in the table so it is very difficult to know what will happen in the future.

“With 87 points [to play for] nobody can think it is finished.”

Pavel Golovkin/Associated Press

He will know, though, that his side's form must improve. So far this season, there has been a feeling of one step forward, two steps back, with defeats to Stoke City and West Ham United particularly disappointing.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is the only player unavailable for City’s match at home to Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. Lampard injured his thigh in the win over Tottenham recently and will play no part against the Magpies, but he has a chance of returning for this weekend’s derby with Manchester United.

Samir Nasri, who has been out for seven games after a groin operation in September, is back in contention, although, he may not be risked from the start.

“The injury situation is just with Frank Lampard. His muscle injury,” Pellegrini said. “All the other players in the squad are fit. Samir Nasri is working with normality, and he is in the squad list.”

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CITY V NEWCASTLE: Pellegrini reveals Nasri back in the squad for Capital One Cup clash http://t.co/cOeFVX8Q80 #mcfc pic.twitter.com/KLtwjFSbou

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 28, 2014"

It’s a big week for City, with three matches in three different competitions. The Manchester derby is the showpiece match, but winning against Newcastle, in a competition that provided Pellegrini with his first major trophy win as a manager in Europe, will be at the forefront of his mind.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.