Malaga hires former Madrid coach Pellegrini
Friday, November 5, 2010 @ 11:35 AM
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Struggling Spanish club Malaga hired former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini on Thursday to lead it to 2013.
The Chilean coach, who oversaw Villarreal through its greatest successes during a five-season stint, will hope to reverse the Andalucian club's poor start to the season. Malaga is 18th after nine games.
Malaga fired Jesualdo Ferreira on Monday after the team's winless streak was stretched to six games overall.
"I think I'm capable of turning this situation around," Pellegrini said. "But of course the team can improve."
B team coach Rafa Gil will lead the team for Saturday's match against Espanyol before Pellegrini takes charge for next week's Copa del Rey match against Hercules.
Pellegrini was fired by Madrid after failing to win any silverware last season despite the Spanish giant investing more than 250 million ($351 million) on the likes of stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
Source: USA Today
Pellegrini led Villarreal to the 2006 Champions League semifinals and to a club-best second-place finish in 2008.