Manuel Pellegrini: Manchester City Managerial Target Has Verbal Agreement

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has given the clearest hint yet that he will be the manager of Manchester City next season.

Pellegrini has been linked to the Manchester City job ever since Roberto Mancini was let go by Manchester City. At the time, the Chilean manager denied the rumors of a move to England. However, recent statements made by him suggest that a deal to bring him to the blue side of Manchester is already in the works.

Speaking to Spanish Television station Canal Sur, Pellegrini said (via BBC):

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I have a verbal agreement with them (City) and I hope it is carried out. As of today, I don't have a signed contract. It is true that Manchester City have shown a lot of interest that I become their coach and I have had conversations with them.

Until things have been signed, you cannot say everything is completely done.

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Most of Pellegrini's coaching time has been spent in his native South America. However, since 2004 he has gone on to coach a number of Spanish La Liga teams including Villareal where he stayed for five years and Madrid where he spent one season.

There is no word as of yet from City's representatives regarding the move, but one person who seems pretty sure of Pellegrini's departure is Malaga playmaker Isco. According to the Guardian, he said the following about the prospect of his future without Pellegrini:

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He's been my footballing father and I know that he likes me and, for me, of course I would like to continue with him because he's given me all the confidence in the world.

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