Tag Archives: pellegrini

Chelsea want Manuel Pellegrini as manager – says agent

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Chelsea target ex-Real Madrid boss Pellegrini after failing to land Guardiola and Klopp

By
Matt Fortune

PUBLISHED:

17:24 GMT, 15 February 2013

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UPDATED:

17:24 GMT, 15 February 2013

Pedigree: Pellegrini spent a year as Real Madrid boss

Pedigree: Pellegrini spent a year as Real boss

Chelsea have made an approach for former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini, according to the Chilean’s agent.

The 59-year-old is currently in charge of Malaga, but has been widely linked with a move away during the summer due to the perillous financial situation at the La Liga club.

Pellegrini has enjoyed a mixed career in Spain following his first move to the country, with Villarreal in 2004. There, he led the Yellow Submarine to the brink of a Champions League final, before they were beaten by Arsenal in the 2006 semi-final.

His spell at the Andalucian club ended
in 2009 when he took charge at Madrid. His year in the capital, though,
ended empty handed despite a haul of 96 points leaving them second to
Barcelona.

Interim: Benitez (left) is in charge at Chelsea until the end of the season

Interim: Benitez (left) is in charge at Chelsea until the end of the season

Chelsea, meanwhile, are currently being led by Rafael Benitez on an interim basis and are on the hunt for a permanent manager.

Roman Abramovich has missed out on No 1 target Pep Guardiola, who joined Bayern Munich, while Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions last week that he would move to Stamford Bridge.

Missing out: Abramovich has failed to land both Guradiola (left) and Klopp (right)

Missing out: Abramovich has failed to land both Guradiola (left) and Klopp (right)

Missing out: Abramovich has failed to land both Guardiola (left) and Klopp (right)

And now speaking to Spanish paper El Mercurio, Jesus Martinez has revealed Chelsea, as well as Italian side AS Roma, have enquired about his client.

He said: ‘Less than 15 days ago we had an offer from Roma, but we declined outright. We said no because we are midway through the season.

‘Chelsea and other clubs have asked, but nothing else official has been said. Manuel would love to manage in the Premier League, but he’d also like to go to Germany, Italy and other championships. There is plenty of time to analyse where he will be next season.

Highly rated: Pellegrini's Malaga won their Champions League group this season

Highly rated: Pellegrini's Malaga won their Champions League group this season

‘Manuel has a contract with Malaga. I believe that in April or May we will know clearly what will happen with his future, to see if the sporting project is changing and we need to make a decision.

‘Our first intention is to respect our commitment, but that also depends on the conditions which exist.’

Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat-trick against Ajax: Champions League round-up

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Ronaldo piles pressure on City as he bags a hat-trick in Madrid's demolition of Ajax

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UPDATED:

21:43 GMT, 3 October 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second hat-trick in successive games on Wednesday night to take Real Madrid to the top of Group D with a 4-1 victory over Ajax.

It was the first time Madrid’s 80million man had scored a hat-trick in the Champions League but took his European tally to 43 goals. Karim Benzema scored a stunning overhead kick after Ronaldo’s opener.

Ajax's goal came from Niklas Moisander in the 56th minute but they could not get any closer as Madrid warmed up for this weekend's mouthwatering league trip to Barcelona in style.

Mine: Cristiano Ronaldo with the match-ball after his hat-trick

Mine: Cristiano Ronaldo with the match-ball after his hat-trick

Danger: Ronaldo celebrates Madrid's demolition job

Danger: Ronaldo celebrates Madrid's demolition job

Jose Mourinho's side now boast two
wins from two in Group D and have opened up a two-point lead after
nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund were unlucky to come away from
their trip to Manchester City with only a draw.

Dortmund created a host of chances
and took a 62nd-minute lead through Marco Reus but English champions
City won a last-minute spot-kick when Neven Subotic was harshly
penalised for handball and Mario Balotelli coolly rolled in his shot to
salvage a 1-1 draw.

Malaga continue to impress in their maiden Champions League campaign as they downed Anderlecht 3-0 away.

Eliseu Pereira netted two superb
finishes – the first an unstoppable 25-yard thunderbolt and the second a
delicate chip – either side of a Joaquin Sanchez penalty as Manuel
Pellegrini's men matched the 3-0 victory they recorded at home to Zenit
St Petersburg in their Group C opener.

Thiller: AC Milan celebrate their narrow win over Zenit

Thiller: AC Milan celebrate their narrow win over Zenit

The Spanish side are now two points
clear of second-placed AC Milan who had earlier edged out Zenit 3-2 in
an exciting encounter at the Petrovski Stadium.

In a battle between two sides
searching for their first win, Milan stormed into a 2-0 lead after 16
minutes through Urby Emanuelson's deflected effort and a fine individual
goal from Stephan El Shaarawi.

Zenit drew level with goals either
side of half-time through Hulk and Roman Shirokov, but it was Milan who
took the points thanks to a 76th-minute own goal from Tomas Hubocan as
well as some brilliant goalkeeping from Christian Abbiati.

In Group B, Arsenal also boast a 100 per cent record after easing past Olympiacos 3-1.

Gervinho's 42nd-minute opener was
cancelled out before the break by Kostas Mitroglou's glancing header,
but Lukas Podolski drilled in a low shot to put the Gunners back in
front in the 56th minute before Aaron Ramsey wrapped up the win late on
with a neat chip.

So close: Hulk impressed but could not save his side

So close: Hulk impressed but could not save his side

Schalke are in second spot on four points after being held 2-2 at home by 10-man Montpellier.
Karim Ait-Fana gave the French champions a 13th-minute lead but Schalke
drew level through the impressive Julian Draxler soon after before Klaas
Jan Huntelaar put the home side ahead in the 53rd minute from the
penalty spot.

Montpellier also saw Garry Bocaly
sent off in that incident but Schalke could not make the most of their
numerical advantage or a host of good opportunities and they paid the
price when Souleymane Camara scored a 90th-minute equaliser.

In Group A, Porto moved three points
clear after James Rodriguez's 83rd-minute goal earned them a 1-0 home
win over big-spending Paris St Germain.

Dynamo Kiev, who lost 4-1 to PSG in
their first outing, joined the French outfit on three points after
beating Dinamo Zagreb 2-0, the goals coming in the first half from Oleg
Gusev and a Josip Pivaric own goal.

No go: Thiago Silva and PSG fell to defeat against Porto

No go: Thiago Silva and PSG fell to defeat against Porto

Tottenham in for Jose Salomon Rondon

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Spurs weigh-up swoop for striker Rondon with rumours of financial plight at Malaga

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UPDATED:

21:50 GMT, 16 July 2012

Tottenham are considering a move for Malaga striker Jose Salomon Rondon amid claims the Spanish club are on the brink of a financial crisis.

Rondon, 22, has also been watched by Chelsea and Arsenal in recent months but Spurs are weighing up an offer which could see Giovani dos Santos go the other way.

Going up: Malaga striker Jose Salomon Rondon is a target for Tottenham

Going up: Malaga striker Jose Salomon Rondon is a target for Tottenham

Malaga owner Sheik Al Thani allegedly owes several players wages, has refused to bail out previous debts and the Spanish tax office is investigating payments on salaries and transfers.

Rondon has scored 27 goals in two seasons for the club and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini said: ‘Rondon has had substantial offers from Germany and England.’

Malaga are also considering selling winger Santi Cazorla and young midfield star Isco to Real Madrid.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas may yet revive interest in Internacional striker Leandro Damiao and is also keen on Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

Barcelona 3 Sporting Gijon 1: Late strikes from Keita and Xavi seal win in Messi"s absence

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Barcelona 3 Sporting Gijon 1: Late strikes from Keita and Xavi seal win in Messi's absence

Barcelona lurched to a much-needed 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Gijon after struggling for a cutting edge without Lionel Messi.

With the Argentina playmaker suspended, Pep Guardiola's side had to rely on late goals from Seydou Keita and Xavi to secure a win that moved them seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, who host Espanyol.

Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona (3rdL) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's third goal

Party time: Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's third goal

Barca looked in real danger of
dropping yet more points when David Barral's 49th-minute equaliser came
moments after Gerard Pique saw red.

The
champions had been frustrated before Andres Iniesta opened the scoring
just before half-time and their ineffectiveness in front of goal looked
like costing them until Keita curled in a wonderful goal with 11 minutes
left.

Xavi added a third late on as Barca extended their unbeaten run at the Nou Camp to 49 games.

Eliseu Pereira scored one goal and set up another as Malaga came from behind to win 3-1 at Getafe.

Manuel
Pellegrini's men trailed to a first-half strike from Diego Castro, but
Eliseu's introduction after the interval provided an equaliser before
the midfielder teed up Jeremy Toulalan for Malaga's second.

FC Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez, left, duels for the ball against Sporting Gigon's Roberto Canella

Midfield tussle: Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez is challenged by Sporting Gijon's Roberto Canella

Santi
Cazorla then added a stunning strike from distance as the visitors
maintained their push for European football next season.

Osasuna's European ambitions were dented as they drew 1-1 at Real Mallorca.

Emilio Nsue rescued a draw for the hosts in the 72nd minutes after Alvaro Cejudo's opener just before the interval.

Atletico Madrid claimed a 1-1 draw at mid-table rivals Sevilla. Eduardo Salvio opened the scoring for Atletico on nine minutes before Baba Diawara equalised for the home side on 53 minutes.

Rayo Vallecano recovered from 2-0 down to beat 10-man Racing Santander 4-2 at Vallecas.

Seydou Keita of FC Barcelona, bottom, and his teammate Dani Alves of FC Barcelona celebrate after Seydou Keita scored his team's second goal

Break through: Barcelona's Seydou Keita and Dani Alves celebrate their side's second goal

The visitors were dealt an early blow when goalkeeper Tono was sent off after just three minutes for bringing down Diego Costa.

However, they responded by taking a 2-0 lead after Marc Torrejon fired in from Christian Stuani's knockdown on nine minutes and Gonzalo Colsa finished calmly 19 minutes later.

Michu pulled a goal back for Rayo just before half-time and the hosts put the game beyond any doubt with three goals in 10 minutes after the break.

Michu tapped in his second to equalise after substitute goalkeeper Mario spilled Emiliano Armenteros' cross before Raul Tamudo and Piti consigned Racing to their second defeat in three games.