Manuel Pellegrini has given an interview in The Athletic where he values his sporting career, from his current stage at Betis to some details of his stay in Manchester and how his signing for the English took place when Pep Guardiola signed for Bayern Munich, going through the season he was at Real Madrid.
Stage at Real Madrid: “It was a special year. Any coach wants to coach Real Madrid, but for various reasons I did not have a good understanding with the president (Florentino Pérez). We had different ways of thinking about the players. They brought me many great footballers, but some They played in positions where we were already strong enough and that's something I didn't like. We still got 96 points, but unfortunately we couldn't win the League because we had a great team like Barcelona in front of us. When the season ended, Madrid was on his side and I on mine. When one door closes, another opens. I had the option of going to Malaga and it was one of the most successful clubs of my career … “.
Without fans: “Not having fans in the stadiums is the worst thing when you coach West Ham or Betis. They don't have the money of the big clubs but they do have a lot of people behind them, hardworking people. Behind the glamor of London, that's what I know. Feel at West Ham. On every street you cross in London there are people showing their 'hammers' symbols and shouting your name and wanting a photo. Something similar happens with Betis. It is one of the most popular teams in Spain and when you live in Seville you realize “.
La Liga vs Premier League: “England has the best league in the world. Everyone has the money to sign good players and the organization is perfect. Besides, the fields are in great condition and it doesn't matter if it's Liverpool or Arsenal against a League Two team because the stadium will be The people are behind their hometown team. Perhaps in Spain the technical level is higher, we have had Cristiano or Messi and the best team in Europe for many years. But in England the speed of the game is greater. You can go losing 3-0 with five minutes to go and you can't give up because the fans won't accept it. “
Will he return to training in the Premier? “I don't know. My career started 36 years ago, a long time. I have had many options before and after West Ham, but I will be almost 70 when my contract ends here. I feel young and want to be as successful as I can in these three seasons. , I am happy”.
City level in the Champions League: “Before I arrived, City did not reach the qualifiers and fell in the group stage. In 2016 we reached the semifinal against Real Madrid and it was decided by an own goal. I am sure that this year, and if not very soon City will win the Champions League. “
Signing for City: “When I met City for the first time (in 2013), they told me that they had worked with Guardiola at Barcelona and that they wanted to work with him at City. They also explained to me that he was in the United States and that if I wanted to sign for him City would do it. If not, there would be no coaching casting because I would be the coach. So Pep decided to sign for Bayern and the next day City called me saying they wanted to talk to me. After three years I ended my contract and Pep ended yours. I left City with a very good relationship. “