Manuel Pellegrini Claims He Has Verbal Agreement to Be Manchester City's Manager

Former Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly engaged in a verbal agreement to become Manchester City's new head man. 

The news comes via Sky Sports:

"

"I have a verbal agreement with them and I hope it is carried out," (Pellegrini) said in an interview with the Andalusian television station Canal Sur on Wednesday.

"As of today, I don't have a signed contract.

"

While it's vitally important to note that nothing is official until an actual contract is signed, Pellegrini serves as an interesting candidate for the English Premier League runner-ups. 

After various stints as manager of Villarreal and Real Madrid in the 2000s, the former Chile center-back took over for Malaga in 2010.     

In the two-plus seasons with Los Boquerones, he guided them to unprecedented levels.

During his first full season as manager in 2011-12, Pellegrini took Malaga to fourth place in La Liga with 58 points, marking its best finish in club history. 

That earned the club a trip to this year's Champions League, where it once again impressed. After making it through qualifying, Malaga was placed in a group with Milan, Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht, where it became one of only a few teams to make it through undefeated.

After beating Porto in the Round of 16, Malaga was finally ousted by eventual runner-up Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals. 

Pelligrini has little experience outside of La Liga—and no experience managing in England—but if he was able to take a financially troubled squad like Malaga so far in Europe, it's intriguing to think what he might be able to do with the funds and talent at Manchester City. 

Moreover, it will be compelling to see how the EPL's top-two reigning squads, Manchester United and City, fare next season with new managers.

Follow @t_keen