Manuel Pellegrini admits he's open to managing in Italy

Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2016 by squawka.com

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that he is open to managing a Serie A club season.

The 62-year-old will leave City at the conclusion of the campaign to make way for Pep Guardiola, and it isn't currently clear where he'll be managing next campaign, but Pellegrini believes that managing in Italy would be an excellent experience.

Pellegrini has managed in Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and England and would relish the opportunity to test himself in Italy.
Pellegrini told Mundo Deportivo (via the Daily Mail): "I would like to coach in Serie A. It would be a good experience.

"I am looking for a new project that would allow me to do my job, and I would not refuse a return to Spain.

"In my life I have never shied away from a challenge.

"When I chose Malaga, I had bigger clubs who were offering me more money, but I decided that I wanted to take that team into the Champions League."

While it will be intriguing to see where Pellegrini ends up, at present he is currently focused on Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg encounter against Real Madrid.

City drew 0-0 with Real in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, but Zinedine Zidane's side are likely to be able to call upon Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for the return fixture.

Pellegrini guided City to the Premier League title in 2014 and also won two league cups during his time in charge of the club. Winning the Champions League, however, would be the best possible way for him to conclude his time in Manchester.

City's place in next season's Champions League isn't yet secure, especially following yesterday's disappointing defeat to Swansea City.