Manchester United Outcast Antony is on his way to Glory – all thanks to a manager who is still praised as an etihad hero.
The Brazilian winger finally found an escape route from his Old Trafford Hell with a six -month move to Real Betis in January.
Three goals in his first four games made him an immediate hit with fans, in a flying start of life in La Liga.
According to a betis legend, it is all because the new Gaffer of Antony has brought the freedom and pleasure back into his game … and that man is ex-city boss Manuel Pellegrini.
The Chilean manager has an eternal place in the hearts of city fans, while the man who led them to the title in the season always reminds us of the slip of Steven Gerrard.
And Antony must be just as grateful in exchanging the buoys and stress of United for a boss who believes in him again.
Gabino Rodriguez is a Betis-Veregig, after almost 200 games for his boy's club, and the man who played a key role in the career of David de Gea during his days as Spain's coach under 21.
Now a respected expert, Rodriguez is convinced that Antony has beaten gold and in the perfect place to rediscover the shape that made him one of the world's best broad guys.
Rodriguez insisted: “It is clearly a bit too early for a full assessment, but this football player has no doubt about it. Technically, he is a very gifted player.
“The first impression is that he landed on his feet on Betis. He scored in his first game, I can see hunger in him and the fans are very happy.
“Personally, I don't doubt that Antony will really adapt well to the Pellegrini system because the manager likes to play offensive football.
“Betis continuously goes through the wings and Antony is the type of player that fits well with this coach.
“Under another he would struggle in all aspects, and that is what happened at United. For me, Antony's problem was not he, but a coaching. “
While Pellegrini replacement by Pep Guardiola had a careful public profile in 2016, his side was full of flair in your face and he achieved 102 goals when he led City to their second Prem Crown.
It is an approach with which he is at Betis in four years, and Rodriguez thinks that Antony could not have a better manager to get him back to the top.
He added: “Looking at how he developed in the few competitions he has played so far, I think he is one for a very clear kind of coach – and the clearest and closest example is Pellegrini.
“There are others who follow a more defensive approach and concentrate more on running and marking or covering.
“They are the ones who tend to have a more direct style and use long balls. Players such as Antony disappear completely in that kind of matches. “
The Born-Again Brazilian is a world away from the person who left Manchester without starting a Premier League match all season.
Insiders say that he is already a popular figure in the dressing room, and a team with another couple from his home country made himself much easier.
Rodriguez revealed: “He has a very good relationship with his countryman Natan and remember that Victor Roque is also Brazilian.
“There are other South Americans such as Giovanni Lo Celso, Cucho Hernandez and Chimmy Avila, who help in the beginning when you are in a new place.
“I said that Antony was well received in the team and did not come in with an atmosphere of superiority just because he came from United.
“He is exactly the opposite, very modest, with a real eagerness to work. Such things are greatly appreciated at Betis.
“Antony just needed the type of coach that could generate him – and under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorin, everything around United looked like a funeral.”
Whether betis has the money to put the loan in a permanent one is debatable. Rodriguez thinks they will certainly try.
He added: “I believe that there is no clear purchase option for his loan, but if he continues to play at this level, I am sure that the club will try to find a way to keep him.
“The player clearly loves the club and Sevilla is a very hospitable and friendly city. I am sure he is very comfortable here with his family. '
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