New breed of coaches set to take control

For all the daunting figures of Manchester City’s financial superiority, there is one other statistic that brings it all back to a more basic human level.

At 60, Manuel Pellegrini is now the oldest manager to have won the English title for the first time since Joe Fagan in 1984. It is a fine achievement even in the context of City’s cash, given that the Chilean was experiencing a new country, a new team and a new environment.

Pellegrini has certainly created the right environment for his squad. He has put in place a tactical framework that brings out his team’s attacking qualities and also set the right mood. Edin Dzeko is the perfect example. Pellegrini realised the forward required a more conciliatory approach after repeatedly clashing with the combustible Roberto Mancini and thereby playing well within himself. After initially intermittent form at the start of this campaign, Dzeko has become a transformed player and one of the key figures in City’s title challenge.