Manuel Pellegrini’s final game in charge as Manchester City boss was during a 1-1 draw against Swansea City in May 2016.
Manchester City needed a result to qualify for top four, as they had a superior goal difference to Manchester United.
United won 3-1 against AFC Bournemouth on the final day of the season, courtesy of goals from Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young.
However, City beat their local rivals to a place in the Champions League due to a goal difference of 30 while the Red Devils’ was merely 14.
Pellegrini’s final game in charge of the club marked a relatively successful period where he won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.
A look at the Chilean’s starting line-up is an indication of how much things have changed at the Etihad Stadium ever since.
Goalkeeper- Joe Hart
Joe Hart started in between the sticks for Manchester City. At the time, there seemed no question mark that the Englishman would remain City’s number one in the following season.
However, Pep Guardiola felt Hart was not suited to his style of play as he subsequently went on loan to Torino and eventually left Manchester City in 2018. The 37-year-old announced his retirement in May this year.
Right-back- Bacary Sagna
Bacary Sagna started at right-back for Manchester City against Swansea, competing with Pablo Zabaleta for a starting spot during that season.
Sagna had already spent one full campaign at City and was largely commendable at the back but past the peak of his powers at Arsenal.
After spending a season under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, he was eventually sold to Benevento before he retired in 2019.
Sagna revealed Guardiola’s ruthlessness as a manager in candidly telling players how he feels and benching them as per his requirements but ultimately described him as a “fair coach.”
Centre-back- Nicolas Otamendi
Nicolas Otamendi was one of Manchester City’s summer signings in 2015 and his debut campaign in a City shirt was far from convincing.
Otamendi started 30 Premier League games under Manuel Pellegrini, including in City’s draw against Swansea.
The Argentine became a crucial cog in Manchester City’s ‘Centurions’ team and was eventually sold to Benfica in 2020, where he is still playing.
Centre-back- Eliaquim Mangala
Eliaquim Mangala was Otamendi’s centre-back partner on the day.
The Frenchman had a torrid time in a City shirt for the most part, as exemplified by the fact that he was sent on loan twice to Valencia and Everton.
Mangala eventually left Manchester City to sign for Valencia permanently in 2019 and currently, he plays for Portuguese side Estoril.
Left-back- Gael Clichy
Gael Clichy was a staple in Manuel Pellegrini’s backline but the 2015/2016 season was one marred by injuries for him as he started a mere 12 league games.
Clichy played a key role in City’s success under both Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini, eventually leaving the club to sign for Istanbul Basaksehir in 2017 before retiring as a Servette player in 2020.
Currently, the former Arsenal defender is the assistant manager of France’s U-21s team.
Defensive midfielder- Fernando
Fernando Reges started at the base of midfield against Swansea.
The midfielder signed from Porto in 2014 and was eventually offloaded in 2017 to Galatasaray and currently, he plays for Brazilian club International as his time at the club was rather underwhelming.
When Fernando made his way to England, he had the reputation of being a tough-tackling holding midfielder but he failed to impress both defensively and with the ball at his feet.
Midfielder- Fernandinho
Fernandinho started alongside his countryman in a double pivot.
The 39-year-old left Manchester City in 2022 off the back of captaining them to their second consecutive league title as their skipper.
Currently at Athletico Parananense, Fernandinho played an instrumental role under Manuel Pellegrini, particularly in his debut campaign as City won the league in 2014.
Right-winger- Jesus Navas
Jesus Navas started on the right flank for Manchester City against Swansea in his second-last season at the club.
The World Cup winner’s time at Manchester City was a disappointment as he struggled to beat defenders while his final ball was mostly under-hit and inaccurate.
Left-wing- Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne was the only starter against the Welsh side who is still a Manchester City player.
De Bruyne’s time at City needs no introduction as he has gone down as arguably their best-ever player and even in his debut campaign, despite being sidelined through injury, he registered seven goals and nine assists in 22 league starts.
Striker- Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero was Manchester City’s best player that season, scoring an impressive 24 league goals for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Aguero was perhaps the main reason why an inconsistent City side were able to get into the top four.
The Argentine legend eventually left the club in 2021 as a five-time Premier League champion.
The once-feared striker’s time at Barcelona came to a premature end due to suffering with a heart condition as he retired in 2021 to cap off a sad end to a legendary career.
Striker- Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring for Manchester City five minutes in against Swansea, as Andre Ayew eventually scored the equaliser.
Iheanacho broke through under Manuel Pellegrini and seemed like he could be the heir to Aguero.
However, the Nigerian eventually signed for Leicester City in 2017 and after spending seven years at the King Power Stadium, he is currently at Sevilla.
