Manuel Pellegrini says he does not regret how his time at Real Madrid ended, rather ‘internal conditions’, as he outlines Malaga’s ambitions this term.
The Chilean spent a single season at the capital club and despite leading the team to a club record 96 points, was removed from his position as the club turned to Jose Mourinho.
“I do not regret my time or exit at Real Madrid,” the 59-year-old told Cope radio today.
“We managed the best ever campaign for Real Madrid up to that point. I’ll always be grateful to Madrid.
“What I regret is not having the internal conditions to develop the project, but that was not down to me.”
The Coach is now at Malaga and earning plaudits for his work in motivating the players amid a financially unstable back drop.
The Costa del Sol outfit are fifth in the table and also qualified for the next round of the Champions League top of their group, despite it being their competition debut.
“In the second round of the Champions League there is very little difference between the teams, it is wrong to choose one that you’d like to face.
“What I want is for Malaga to face the competition in February with the same intensity and mentality that they have managed so far. With that we can compete with anybody,” reflected Pellegrini, before revealing that ambition for the League also remains intact.
“From last season expectations have very high and we are fighting more powerful entities than us in Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla.
“We want to finish above them and it is important that we are strong at home and on the road.”
The Coach was asked for comment on two notable performers so far this season, Joaquin Sanchez and Isco.
“For anyone to have thought that Joaquin was finished at 30 is absurd. He has again demonstrated what he has done so throughout his career.
“Isco has exploded on to the scene, he has contributed greatly whilst remaining humble and trying to improve every day.
“We have worked with him and he believes that there is vast room for improvement. It is going to depend on him, if he wants to exploit his quality and minimise mistakes in his decisions on the pitch.”
Malaga’s owner Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani has held back on financial support and running costs at the club since the end of last season and the club are yet to qualify to receive their prize money from this year’s Champions League progress.
Whilst wages are still owed to many of the players and to Pellegrini himself, the Coach is still optimistic for the future.
“I hope that the process will be fully enforced and everything will be in order. My talks with the Sheikh are isolated and have not been continuous.
“Now I have more contact with Mohayad Shatat, who is here in Malaga. Fortunately, people have given me freedom in many areas to take this project forward.”
