JAMIE REDKNAPP BELIEVES Manchester City need “major surgery” if they are to compete with the best Europe has to offer in the coming years.
City were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday, with Ivan Rakitic’s goal on the night earning Luis Enrique’s side a 3-1 aggregate victory over two legs.
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Barca had 23 shots on goal, however, and City were indebted to a superb performance from goalkeeper Joe Hart, while Sergio Aguero also missed a second-half penalty.
Redknapp, though, insists there was a clear discrepancy in quality between the two sides, and has cast doubt over the future of manager Manuel Pellegrini – accusing the former Malaga boss of “tactical naivety”.
“Last year, City competed a lot better,” he said while acting as a pundit for Sky Sports. “There was a huge gulf in class today. If it wasn’t for Hart, it could’ve been worse. They need three or four players to come in.
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EMPICS Sport
“Is Pellegrini the man to take it forward? Playing 4-4-2 against Barcelona, you can’t do it. You’ll get punished. He’s lost two last-16 ties against Barcelona and that isn’t good enough for a manager.”
Jamie Carragher echoed Redknapp’s sentiments, and says that City have reached a glass ceiling with their current squad – the core of which won the Premier League title under Roberto Mancini in 2012.
“Their best players are getting to that age and I think it’s time for changes at Manchester City now,” he added. “They’ve been fantastic but it’s getting to that time and I don’t think they’re getting any better.”
'They need major surgery' - Redknapp & Carragher lay into Manchester City after Champions League exit
JAMIE REDKNAPP BELIEVES Manchester City need “major surgery” if they are to compete with the best Europe has to offer in the coming years.
City were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday, with Ivan Rakitic’s goal on the night earning Luis Enrique’s side a 3-1 aggregate victory over two legs.
Barca had 23 shots on goal, however, and City were indebted to a superb performance from goalkeeper Joe Hart, while Sergio Aguero also missed a second-half penalty.
Redknapp, though, insists there was a clear discrepancy in quality between the two sides, and has cast doubt over the future of manager Manuel Pellegrini – accusing the former Malaga boss of “tactical naivety”.
“Last year, City competed a lot better,” he said while acting as a pundit for Sky Sports. “There was a huge gulf in class today. If it wasn’t for Hart, it could’ve been worse. They need three or four players to come in.
“Is Pellegrini the man to take it forward? Playing 4-4-2 against Barcelona, you can’t do it. You’ll get punished. He’s lost two last-16 ties against Barcelona and that isn’t good enough for a manager.”
Jamie Carragher echoed Redknapp’s sentiments, and says that City have reached a glass ceiling with their current squad – the core of which won the Premier League title under Roberto Mancini in 2012.
“Their best players are getting to that age and I think it’s time for changes at Manchester City now,” he added. “They’ve been fantastic but it’s getting to that time and I don’t think they’re getting any better.”
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