Manuel Pellegrini is committed to Malaga and won’t accept an offer from Chelsea.
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After rumours emerged yesterday that Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini had opened talks to become the next Chelsea manager, the Chilean has now said he is not interested in a change of clubs.
The former Villareal and Real Madrid boss is seen by Roman Abramovich as the ideal long-term replacement for interim manager Rafael Benitez, but the Russian owner may be forced to look elsewhere.
According to the Sun, Pellegrini is committed to continuing his fine work with Malaga, after a strong season in La Liga this year, as well as making the Champions League quarter-finals on the club’s first ever appearance in the competition.
His side were unfortunate to be knocked out in a close tie with Borussia Dortmund, and it may be that his opposite number that night, Jurgen Klopp, will be approached next by Chelsea, as Pellegrini made it clear he was not looking to move.
“I’m not looking to change club.” he insisted.
“My main objective is to finish my contract with Malaga and continue the work we have started.
“In the Champions League quarter-final against Dortmund I think we showed that Malaga was one of the top four teams in Europe.”
The 59-year-old understands that there is speculation surrounding his future, as financial problems at Malaga have led to some forced player sales and a general feeling of uncertainty around the club. Pellegrini himself was unhappy with the sales of key players Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal to Arsenal, and is likely to see another rising star Isco leave the club this summer as well.
He added: “I suppose there’s uncertainty about my future because nobody knows the next developments at this club yet.”
Chelsea have also been linked with former boss Jose Mourinho, who is widely tipped to be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season.