Pellegrini determined to make City a force

Manuel Pellegrini is tasked with working his European magic on Manchester City FC and tells UEFA.com what is needed to go far in the "world's biggest competition".

After specialising in guiding unfancied outfits to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League, Manuel Pellegrini has been tasked by Manchester City FC with bringing his magic to the European underachievers.

Manchester City have turned to the Chilean manager who has never failed to advance past the group stage, masterminding Villarreal CF's journey to the last four in 2005/06 and Málaga CF's voyage to the quarter-finals last term. "The most important aspect is to make the players feel they have the capacity and feel the confidence," said the 60-year-old of his successful methods.

However, the job is vastly different at City than at those two Spanish clubs, with expectations sky-high following heavy investment in the squad. "It is different. It is clear that the responsibility at Manchester City, with the squad that was put together and the investments by the club, is to reach a higher level in the Champions League."

An opening 3-0 Group D win at FC Viktoria Plzeň showed that the values the manager is instilling in the squad are bearing fruit. "You need spirit, you need commitment, you need conviction, and a winning mentality. I think this is fundamental if you want to reach the next round," he said, of a tournament he holds in the highest regard. "It is the most important competition in the world. The best teams in the world participate in it; the stadiums are always full. It is difficult to find any flaw."