 ? Pellegrini defiant after Madrid's Champions League exit? 'I'm not going to resign, I'm not going to quit,' says managerReal Madrid's coach, Manuel Pellegrini, refused to quit after his team's elimination from the Champions League at home to Lyon last night and was backed by the club's...
? Pellegrini defiant after Madrid's Champions League exit
? 'I'm not going to resign, I'm not going to quit,' says manager Real Madrid's coach, Manuel Pellegrini, refused to quit after his team's elimination from the Champions League at home to Lyon last night and was backed by the club's director general, Jorge Valdano. Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Lyon in their last-16, second-leg game to crash out 2-1 on aggregate. The big-spending Spanish club have now failed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for six consecutive seasons. Asked in an interview with Spanish television whether Pellegrini, who was appointed last summer, would still be in charge next season, Valdano said: "Yes he has a contract, which is why the club's plans are for Manuel to continue being the coach of Real Madrid. "Pellegrini is the coach of Real Madrid, we respect him, of course, and we trust in his work," he added. "There is still a lot to be done." Real's latest European failure comes after investment of ?240m on players in the summer and the Spanish league is now their only chance of silverware this season. "It's is a sad night because we were very excited about this competition but we are not going to exaggerate the situation on the basis of one match," Valdano said. Pellegrini had earlier dismissed any suggestion he might step down. "I'm not going to resign, I'm not going to quit the fight," he said. "Of course we're all very disappointed because we wanted to go far in this competition, but I've never thought about resigning." When further quizzed on his future, Pellegrini said: "You will need to ask the directors that question. I see myself in exactly the same situation as I saw myself yesterday, though obviously with the bitter disappointment of the failure of being knocked out. "My future depends only on the board, the only thing I can do is continue working as until now."
Posted originally: 2010-03-11 03:00:35
|
