Did Manuel Pellegrini Manage Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

Manuel Pellegrini is a renowned football manager known for his successful stints at various clubs. However, there has been some confusion over whether he managed Real Madrid or not. Let’s take a closer look at the facts.

The Background

In 2009, Manuel Pellegrini was appointed as the manager of Real Madrid after the departure of Juande Ramos. This was a significant move for both Pellegrini and Real Madrid, as the club was going through a period of transition and needed an experienced manager to guide them back to success.

Pellegrini’s Time at Real Madrid

During his time at Real Madrid, Pellegrini had a mixed tenure. He managed to guide the team to second place in the La Liga table with 96 points – the highest ever points total for a second-placed team in La Liga history. However, this was overshadowed by their early exit in the Champions League quarter-finals and their inability to win any other major trophy.

The Confusion

Despite managing Real Madrid for a season, there has been some confusion over whether Pellegrini actually managed the club or not. This is because he was sacked by Florentino Perez, who then appointed Jose Mourinho as his replacement.

The Reality

However, it is important to note that Pellegrini did manage Real Madrid for the 2009/2010 season before he was replaced by Jose Mourinho. This is often overlooked due to Mourinho’s successful tenure at the club and his subsequent impact on Spanish football.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Manuel Pellegrini did manage Real Madrid for one season before being replaced by Jose Mourinho. Despite this confusion, his time at the club should not be dismissed or overlooked, as he still managed to achieve a high points total in the La Liga and guide the team to second place. Pellegrini’s managerial career has continued to flourish since his time at Real Madrid, with successful spells at Malaga, Manchester City and West Ham United.