Following the exit of Tito Vilanova so he could be treated for cancer, Barca were looking for a replacement manager and were looking to Manuel Pellegrini as an option.
Following the Chilean manager’s successful spell with Villareal between 2004-09, Barca had kept tabs on him and were considering him as a possible alternative to Frank Rijkaard, who left the club back in 2008. In the end though, they opted to employ Pep Guardiola and Pellegrini joined rivals Real Madrid.
Spotted by sporting director Jorge Valdano, Pellegrini was thought to be the man to lead ‘Los Blancos’ to greatness. He did manage to achieve Madrid’s highest ever points total in La Liga, with 96, but still fell short and finished second to Barcelona, and when coupled with an exit in the Champions League round of 16 and a Copa del Rey failuer, pellegrini was sacked.
Since then, he managed to guide Malaga to a Champions League spot and was once again hot property with Manchester City looking to get the Chilean, and Barcelona were once again interested.
When current Barca manager Tito Vilanova fell ill to cancer and had to take time off, the timing was right for Pellegrini to step in, however the Barca boss was keen to continue and made a return towards the end of the season. “There was defininte interest in Pellegrini,” a source close to the barcelona told Goal.com.
“Tito had taken time out and nobody knew if he would be able to continue beyond the summer, but in the end he insisted that he wanted to stay and the club respected that.” Meanwhile Pellegrini had signed with Manchester City and Vilanova vowed to continue at the Camp Nou: “I feel strong and, if my health permits, I will stay on.”
By Phil Wellbrook
