Pellegrini ´could succeed Mourinho´

Former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini could succeed the man who replaced him at Real Jose Mourinho as coach of Champions League winners Internazionale, sports daily AS claimed on Saturday.

The 56-year-old Chilean was sacked by Real last Wednesday, with a reputed 5 million euros pay-off, after failing to land a trophy in his first season with ‘The meringues’ despite record amounts of money being invested in new players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian Kaka.

Mourinho is to be unveiled officially by Real president Florentino Perez – whose relationship with Pellegrini was so poor that the coach claimed they had not spoken since last August – on Monday having reached agreement with Inter to leave.

AS alleges that Pellegrini’s agent has been sounded out by Inter – who under 47-year-old Mourinho won an unprecedented treble for an Italian club of the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup trophies last term.

However, Pellegrini, who made his name in Spain coaching Villarreal, is also said to be interested in succeeding Marcelo Bielsa as coach of the Chilean national team after June’s World Cup finals.

Also on Inter’s shortlist are former AC Milan, AS Roma, Real Madrid and present England coach Fabio Capello and former Holland, South Korea, Australia and Russia coach Guus Hiddink.