“I knew before I signed” City former boss, Manuel Pellegrini reveals secret behind the club future managerial appointment

Manchester City legend Manuel Pellegrini says that the club had agreed on appointing Pep Guardiola as their manager even before he arrived. 

The Chilean tactician, now on the verge of his 37th season in management with Real Betis, had a three-year spell at Manchester City, where he won the Premier League and two League Cups while taking the club to their first Champions League semi-final.

He revealed, however, that he knew the club was going to go for Guardiola long before his time had finished. He said in an interview with BBC Sport: “They spoke with me three or four months before and said they were going for Pep. But, in case Pep wasn’t going to be the coach, I was.”

Pellegrini also told reporters, “The sporting director Txiki Begiristain and the chief executive Ferran Soriano have all worked with Guardiola at Barcelona and basically wanted him back.”

However, Pellegrini said that he never had any problem knowing Guardiola was coming. “No, I didn’t have a problem in my head because I knew I would finish my contract,” he said. “They give you a lot of security.”.

Pep Guardiola replaced Pellegrini in 2016 and went on to win 17 major trophies, positioning City as a great team in England. 

Footy Brief understands that his contract runs until 2025; however, his future does not remain free from speculations.