Pellegrini set for City bow

MANUEL Pellegrini was set to face the media for the first time as Manchester City manager today.

Almost four weeks after his appointment at the Etihad Stadium, the Chilean was due to be formally unveiled alongside new signing Fernandinho.

Pellegrini and the majority of his squad fly to South Africa this evening for the first leg of their pre–season tour.

City, who reported back for training this week, are also participating in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong this month before they feature in a Munich tournament and a friendly against Arsenal in Helsinki.

Pellegrini’s first match in charge will be against SuperSport United in Pretoria on Sunday.

City have announced that Argentina pair Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta will not join the squad until next week after being granted extra time off following international duty last month.

David Silva and Jesus Navas, who both played in the recent Confederations Cup for Spain, are excused until the Hong Kong event.

The arrival of Pellegrini, added to those of Fernandinho and Navas for a combined cost of almost £45million, have since heralded a summer of change. City continue to be linked with numerous other targets.