Pellegrini quotes fuel speculation

Manuel Pellegrini said he is unlikely to be at Malaga next year
11 May 2013

Fresh doubts have emerged over Roberto Mancini's future as Manchester City manager after Manuel Pellegrini admitted he is unlikely to remain as coach of Malaga next season.

The Chilean coach's agent met with representatives from City in April and an agreement has apparently been reached, according to reports emerging from Spain.

Although Pellegrini did not confirm or deny the story ahead of his team's Primera Division match against Sevilla on Sunday, he declared he and several players would not be staying at Malaga, due to the club's ailing financial situation.

He told reporters: "I have already made it clear that it is not ideal to end the season in this way. We are in unusual circumstances. I don't think any of us really want to leave Malaga.

"Everyone would prefer to stay but unfortunately, the circumstances we are in don't allow that."

Pellegrini was relaxed about the speculation but insisted it would not distract him or the players from their attempts to secure European football for next season.

"Being linked to other clubs doesn't annoy me or make me feel uncomfortable - it's something that usually happens every year," he said. "We are just concentrating on making sure the team finishes in the European places.

"The future is uncertain for all of us, the coaching staff and players have discussed our situation but right now, Malaga's main concern must be to focus only on reaching the objectives we set at the start of the campaign."

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