Pellegrini slams Real for sack

(GSM) – Former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that lack of support from the club cost him, his job at Bernabeu.

Pellegrini was formally relieved on his duties on Wednesday after weeks of speculation, with Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho widely expected to be the Chilean’s successor.

The 56-year-old, who spent only a season with los Merengues, found himself unwanted after failing to win a trophy, despite lavish spending on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka last summer.

However, the former Villarreal boss has revealed that he hadn’t been given sufficient time or support to be successful at the club, with his tenure beginning in difficult circumstances.

Pellegrini told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: “I came here with high hopes and great pride to manage this team. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do what I wanted to do and I had differences from the beginning of the season.

“There were a lot of disagreements in the club. I asked for them to keep (Wesley) Sneijder and (Arjen) Robben, who were two very important players for me. I missed having a debate on supporting issues, with the coach included.

“As (former Real coach and current Spain boss) Vicente Del Bosque said, even the club show no respect for the position of the coach, and they don’t give them the authority internally or externally.

“Florentino’s (Perez, Real president) project is extraordinary but I think he’s got it wrong.”

The exit of Pellegrini paves for the way for Mourinho to take over at the Spanish giants, however contract wrangles at Inter are preventing any deal from being completed.

Mourinho has long been touted as the next Real manager, with the Portuguese tactician publicly revealing his desire to take charge.

The behaviour of the former Chelsea boss angered Pellegrini, who was upset that his counterpart had spoken about taking his job before he even left the post.

And the ex-Villarreal chief admitted he was poles apart with the plans of club president Perez – but said he still respected the Madrid supremo.

He added: “I haven’t spoken to him (Perez) since August. I respect his stance of the president. He has a sporting project in which I don’t fit.

“It hurt above all because they had already tied up a new coach which isn’t ethical. I wouldn’t have spoken about a team that already had a coach in place.

“It is isn’t very ethical, but he is a coach that has proven he is a winner in every team he has been with.”