One of the worst kept secrets in soccer could soon be out.
Manuel Pellegrini is free to leave La Liga side Malaga at the end of the season, according to news breaking from the Andalucían club this morning.
It seems Pellegrini’s most likely destination is Manchester City, with the Chilean linked to the now vacant position at the Etihad Stadium for some time.
But today’s announcement is a little out of the blue. However, given the wonderful job Pellegrini has done to turn Malaga into a side competing for Champions League soccer each season and then going so close to reaching the semifinals, the Southern Spanish side have reluctantly accepted his future lies elsewhere.
Pellegrini has reportedly struck a deal with Malaga, which will see him out of contract on June 30 without paying the near $6 million get out clause.
The 59-year-old manager will be in charge for the rest of Malaga’s campaign. But, if he does make the switch to England, is he the right man to take over at Manchester City?
He certainly relies on youth and brings a more structured and disciplined approach than Mancini.
The ‘holistic approach’ that City owners cited as one of the main reasons for firing Mancini may be better implemented by Pellegrini who has created comfortable, yet demanding, working environments at both Villareal and Malaga.
(More: Is Pellegrini the right man to take over at Manchester City?)
Perhaps his huge success with relatively small Spanish sides in the UEFA Champions League also stands out to City’s owners. Despite the star names and huge amounts of money spent in recent years, Mancini failed to lead City to the Champions League knockout stages.
European success is next on the to do list for Man City, Pellegrini could deliver that. With his time at Malaga coming to an end it seems his next job in Manchester is one step closer.