Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini looks to be heading to the Premier League next season following a meeting between the Jesus Martinez, the Chilean’s agent, and Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s director of football. Pellegrini has expressed his desire to leave in subtle comments throughout the season, keen to avoid causing offence to Malaga fans and players whilst continuing their push for the top four, but has become increasingly frustrated at the ongoing problems with wage payments. After leading Malaga to minutes of a Champions League semi-final, Pellegrini will be a much sought after man in the close season.
The meeting took place in Madrid on Monday with Roberto Mancini’s future at Manchester City looking increasingly uncertain despite an FA Cup Final appearance in the next month. Whilst the topic of the meeting is uncertain as Martinez represents the ProSoccer24 agency, catering for stars such as James Rodriguez, Nicolas Gaitan and Kevin Gameiro, the issue of Pellegrini’s future would surely have been raised.
Chelsea have also enquired about Pellegrini’s services as a possible candidate to succeed Rafael Benitez when his contract expires, according to Martinez. He also confirmed in February that he and Pellegrini immediately turned down an approach from Roma due to it coming midway through the season. Pellegrini has been quick to distance himself from his outspoken agent at times when rumours have surfaced, keen to direct attention away from himself and onto the job with Malaga, but has refused to commit himself to the duration of his contract until the problems behind the scenes are sorted.
Pellegrini is an astute manager who came so close to guiding the unfancied side to the last four of the Champions League. His win % with the club is 41.13% having won 51 of 124 games he’s presided over. He has the highest win % of any Real Madrid manager ever with 75% and has plenty of experience which has yet to grace the Premier League.
Considering Malaga cannot play in Europe next season, Pellegrini would be wise to move to a team in Europe for next season. He saw Nacho Monreal and Santi Cazorla leave for Arsenal this season as the Qatari board went quiet and the club became shrouded in secrecy regarding their financial situation, which means he is unlikely to stay amid the uncertainty and build a team for the future.
Upon joining Malaga, Pellegrini intended to stay and finish his career on the south coast of Spain. He said that it now depends on being shown a similar project to the one initially proposed when he joined in Novermber 2011, which is exactly what City and Chelsea can offer.
