“I would have loved to stay” - Manuel Pellegrini reveals the reason he was sacked by Real Madrid
Manuel Pellegrini has revealed not winning the UEFA Champions League was the reason he was sacked by Real Madrid. The Chilean went on to add that he'd have loved to stay and it was his dream job.
Pellegrini, 70, is now in charge of La liga club Real Betis. He has also managed Villarreal, Malaga, and Los Blancos in Spanish football. Pellegrini was in charge of the Madrid giants during the 2009-10 season. He was replaced by Jose Mourinho in 2010-11.
Speaking about his departure, Pellegrini said (via Madrid Xtra):
"Leaving Real Madrid was sad, I would have loved to stay. It was a dream to coach the team. Not winning the Champions League was the reason my contract ended."
Coaching Los Merengues comes with high expectations as the club are always expected to win major trophies. Pellegrini, though, took charge of the team at a time when Barcelona were the dominant force in Spanish football. Pep Guardiola's side had just won the European treble in the 2008-09 season.
Pellegrini saw some superstar summer arrivals as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, and Alvaro Arbeloa all joined the club in the 2009 summer. However, that didn't guarantee success as the team ended trophyless that season.
Pellegrini was in charge of the team for 48 games, winning 36, drawing five, and losing seven. While the numbers were not bad by any means, not winning silverware was certainly a big deal for a club of Real Madrid's size.
Jose Mourinho was brought in to replace Pellegrini and the Madrid club went through a slow rebuild. After winning the Copa del Rey in 2010-11, they won the La Liga title in 2011-12.
Pellegrini, meanwhile, continued his career in Spanish football before a spell in the Premier League.
Manuel Pellegrini's post-Real Madrid career
After leaving Real Madrid, Manuel Pellegrini spent almost three seasons at Malaga before moving to Manchester City in 2013. He spent three seasons coaching the Sky Blues, taking charge of them for 166 matches (101 wins, 27 draws, and 38 losses).
Pellegrini won the Premier League title with Manchester City in the 2013-14 season. He also won two EFL Cups before parting ways with the Cityzens.
The Chilean has since coached Hebei FC, West Ham United, and now Real Betis. The 70-year-old is still continuing his long coaching career at the highest level and is respected across the globe.