Chilean is one of the Continent’s most sought-after trainers.
Malaga head coach Manuel Pellegrini has strongly refuted claims in both the Spanish and English press that he has already agreed to replace Roberto Mancini as the next Manchester City manager, reports BBC Sport Online.
Mancini is under mounting pressure after his side surprisingly lost Saturday’s FA Cup final to relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.
And, having also recently relinquished their Premier League title to fierce city rivals Manchester United, as well as come bottom of their Uefa Champions League group, it is understood that those in charge of the club have decided that the popular Italian has now taken City as far as he can.
However Pellegrini, 59, has denied that any deal is already in place for him to take over from Mancini, saying in a statement on Malaga’s official website: “I categorically deny that I am the new Manchester City coach.
“I have an agreement with Malaga not to talk to anyone and nothing has been agreed with any other outfit.
“Nothing has been signed and no agreement reached. I’ve been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big clubs are interested in me.
“I hope the future of this club will become somewhat clearer in the next few days.”
Pellegrini has been in charge of Malaga since Nov 2010, during which time he has guided the Liga outfit to a top-four finish in the Spanish league last season, and with it a place in this campaign’s Champions League, where the Chilean managed to come within seconds of taking the club into the semi-finals.
COMMENTS