Kelechi Iheanacho Snubs Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers, Names Chilean Coach As Favourite Manager

• Kelechi Iheanacho has selected Real Betis boss Mauricio Pellegrini as the manager that has impacted his career the most
• The Super Eagles forward made his senior debut under the Chilean manager when he was coach of English Premier League side, Manchester City in 2015
• Iheanacho has since played under numerous managers in his career, including world-renowned tacticians in Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers

Kelechi Iheanacho says Mauricio Pellegrini had the most influence on his career as a professional football player since emerging from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2013.

The Chilean coach managed the 25-year-old Nigerian at Manchester City when he made his senior career debut in the 2015/16 season.

According to a report via Soccernet, Iheanacho described the former Manchester City coach as a mentor and a father figure for all those who have worked with him.

“He has been my mentor, a man who brought me to the first team at Manchester City, so I will always be grateful to him.

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“He is also a great manager, a loving father figure. The club loves him, and everyone that knows him, his personality is good, so I think it was great to work with him.”

Iheanacho has played under ten coaches during his time in the Premier League, including Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers, but none comes close to the impact Pellegrini has had on the Super Eagles striker.

Iheanacho seeks end to goals drought against Roma

Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanachi is hoping to get back to his goal-scoring best when Leicester City host Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, April 28.

According to a report via Punch, the Super Eagles attacker has gone three consecutive games in Europe’s third-tier competition without a goal.

Iheanacho's only goal of the competition came in the first leg of the round of 16 against Stade Rennais, which Leicester won 2-0 in March.

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Rodgers tells Iheanacho what he must do to score goals

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers had told Kelechi Iheanacho that the ‘golden rule’ of being a striker is to hit the target and score goals.

The tactician watched from the sidelines as the Nigerian forward who started in place of injured Jamie Vardy tried to chip the goalkeeper in the last three outings, but failed to find the net each time.

During their win over Brentford, Iheanacho surged in-between two defenders to create a chance for himself before lobbing his attempt wide.