T'was a Chile day in Cork today, as outgoing Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was spotted strolling around Leeside seemingly for no reason at all.
But with the 62-year-old out of a job in the summer, his presence in the Rebel county naturally got the football rumour mill churning. Could a move to the Greatest League In The World beckon for the Premier League winner?
Pellegrini strolling around Cobh today must be taking over @CobhRamblersFC when he finishes wit Man City pic.twitter.com/1VQJCnGDQq
— Brian Wilkinson (@Shankslives4fr) March 27, 2016
@Shankslives4fr @CobhRamblersFC in Patrick St signing up Michael cummins pic.twitter.com/Ojbe550JLg
— Alfie Davis (@AlfieDavis7) March 27, 2016
Is #manuelpellegrini in talks with @CobhRamblersFC ? #ManchesterCity #Cork Big Saudi interest rumoured in Cobh pic.twitter.com/SoWYG5xfeb
— Jimmy Stafford (@JimmystaffordDJ) March 27, 2016
The former Villareal and Real Madrid manager has recently been linked with Chelsea, but he's obviously keen to explore his options; most notably the option of a pint of Beamish according to local barman Steven 'Gibby' Walsh.
But in this throwaway football managerial culture, the Chilean's shadow will have loomed large both in St. Colmans Park and Turner's Cross.
Cork City are yet to make an official statement, but their neighbours across the harbour moved quickly to dampen the social media chatter. Although we're not entirely certain Ramblers head honcho Stephen Henderson will sleep well after receiving the dreaded vote of confidence.
Despite Manuel Pellegrini being spotted in Cobh today, we can confirm that he is not set to join the club https://t.co/AcKoyNdcAV
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) March 27, 2016
@DouglasHallAFC @Shankslives4fr work away lads, we're happy with @HOTSHOTZ2 !
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) March 27, 2016
Meanwhile, a Cork City fan account has made it clear that now is not the time for managerial uncertainty, but the club's silence on the matter seems particularly deafening.
Manuel Pellegrini is in Cork today and out of work in the summer. But #InCaulfieldWeTrust #ccfc84 #mcfc pic.twitter.com/mUB1CzeEUm
— Cork City FC News (@corkcityfcnews) March 27, 2016
More to follow.
