FORMER Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed he “wasn’t happy” with the club’s transfer policy… despite breaking TWO world records.
The Chilean’s appointment at the Bernabeu in 2009 sparked the arrivals of an influx of world stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
Manuel Pellegrini had an influx of world stars on his handsCredit: AFP – Getty
Brazilian superstar Kaka first joined for a world-record £60.3million fee before the club smashed that figure when they landed Ronaldo from Manchester United for £84.6m just days later.
Real Madrid also welcomed the arrivals of Karim Benzema and Xavi Alonso, splashing out over £200m in total.
Pellegrini’s spell in Madrid was short-lived after he was axed for finishing second in the league and being knocked out of the Champions League Round of 16 to Lyon.
In an interview with The Athletic, Pellegrini said of his time at Real: “It was a special year, every coach wants a Real Madrid coach, but for various reasons I did not always agree with the president (Florentino Perez).
“The president and I had different ways of thinking about the players.
“They signed me a lot of very good players, but some of them played in positions where we were already strong, so I wasn’t happy.
“When the season ended, Real Madrid continued on their way, while I followed mine.
“When one door closes, another opens, I was lucky to go to Malaga and it was one of the most successful moments of my career.
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The club broke two world records including the arrival of KakaCredit: Reuters
Manuel Pellegrini was axed as Real Madrid boss after one seasonCredit: EPA
“I built a team, we qualified for Europe and reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League.”
It is not the first time Pellegrini has spoken out of his frustrations against Real Madrid’s transfer policy.
He previously said: “It was a special year, every coach wants a Real Madrid coach, but for various reasons I did not always agree with the president.”
“The president and I had different ways of thinking about the players. They signed me a lot of very good players, but some of them played in positions where we were already strong, so I wasn’t happy. “
“I didn’t have a voice or a vote at Madrid.
“They sign the best players, but not the best players needed in a certain position.
Signings under Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo – £84.6m
Kaka – £60.3m
Karim Benzema – £31.5m
Xavi Alonso – £31m
Raul Albiol – £13.5m
Alvaro Negredo – £4.5m
Esteban Granero – £3.6m
Alvaro Arbeloa – £3.6m
*figures from transfermarkt
“It’s no good having an orchestra with the 10 best guitarists if I don’t have a pianist.
“Real Madrid have the best guitarists, but if I ask them to play the piano they won’t be able to do it so well.
“He [Perez] sold players that I considered important. We didn’t win the Champions League because we didn’t have a squad properly structured to be able to win it.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
