Pellegrini almost took charge at Barcelona

Manchester City-bound Manuel Pellegrini has revealed he was almost hired by Barcelona instead of Pep Guardiola.

The La Liga champions went on to enjoy incredible success under the Spaniard – including winning two Champions League trophies – while Pellegrini spent a year in charge at Real Madrid before being ousted in favour of Jose Mourinho.

Pellegrini’s reputation has grown since his move to Malaga in 2010 and ahead of his last game in charge of them against Tito Vilanova’s Barca, the Chilean said the past few years could have turned out very differently for him and Guardiola.

“Before Pep Guardiola took charge of Barcelona, I was very close to signing,” he told Television Nacional de Chile.

“I’m very happy that it isn’t currently possible for me to manage Barcelona, because if it were, it would mean that Tito Vilanova was in poor health.”

Malaga can seal sixth spot and a Europa League place with a win at Camp Nou on Saturday, while Barcelona are aiming to finish the season with 100 points.