“I knew before I signed…” – Manuel Pellegrini discloses Manchester City secret behind future managerial appointment

Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that he was aware of Manchester City’s intentions to appoint Pep Guardiola as head coach.

The 70-year-old is poised to begin his 37th season in management with Real Betis this month, having taken charge of a number of major European clubs, including Real Madrid, West Ham and Manchester City.

Pellegrini replaced Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium in 2013, and was replaced by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016, after winning three trophies in three years in east Manchester.

The Chilean won the Premier League title during his first season in England, and also lifted the League Cup trophy in both 2014 and 2016.

Pellegrini, who also guided Manchester City to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, took charge of 167 matches across three years, registering 100 wins and scoring 373 goals.

The current Real Betis coach announced his departure during a dramatic press conference in 2016, and has now revealed that he was aware of Manchester City’s plans to appoint Guardiola as his successor.

Speaking with BBC Sport, Pellegrini revealed: “They talked with me three or four months before and said they were going for Pep, but if Pep wasn’t going to be their coach, I was.

“I knew before I signed they wanted Pep Guardiola. [Sporting director] Txiki [Begiristain] and [chief executive] Ferran Soriano had worked with him at Barcelona.

“Pep then went to Bayern Munich. I worked there for three years and changed the style of [Roberto] Mancini, which is what they wanted, and they were successful. Three years in Manchester was enough.

“When you work with Txiki and Ferran, you know they will not fire you because of a couple of results. I knew I would finish my contract. They give you a lot of security. I didn’t have a problem to leave.”

The upcoming 2024/25 campaign could be Guardiola’s last at the Etihad Stadium, with the 53-year-old out of contract at Manchester City in 2025.

The Catalan coach has won 17 major trophies since his arrival from the Allianz Arena in 2016, and guided Manchester City to a sixth Premier League title in seven years in May.