Manuel Pellegrini: Manchester City appoint Chilean as manager
- From the section Football
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Manuel Pellegrini has been confirmed as the new manager of Manchester City after signing a three-year contract.
The 59-year-old Chilean arrives from Malaga and fills the role vacated by Roberto Mancini, who was sacked in May.
"I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity," said Pellegrini, who will begin his new job on 24 June.
"The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution."
Brian Kidd will remain on the coaching staff, with Ruben Cousillas joining as assistant manager, and goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor and fitness coach Jose Cabello also part of the new backroom set-up. The trio worked under Pellegrini at Malaga.
In an interview with CityTV, he added: "Roberto [Mancini] did a great job here in Manchester, especially to win the title after so many years. We now start a new cycle.
"I had other important offers from important clubs. The most important thing for me is I am sure we can make a great management team.
"I'm sure we have the best squad in the Premier League, wonderful players and can win more titles in the next three or four years in Manchester."
Speaking on the club's two-match post-season visit to the US before Pellegrini's appointment, City midfielder Samir Nasri felt the Chilean's methods would translate well onto the pitch.
"All his teams play attractive football, that is what people want to see," said the 25-year-old.
"You pay for tickets to go to football to see something great, and he is the kind of manager who can do it."
Pellegrini helped Malaga qualify for the Champions League during the 2011-12 season and led them to the quarter-finals of the competition.
He began his managerial career in South America before joining Spanish side Villarreal in 2004 and then moving to Real Madrid in 2009.
However, Pellegrini was dismissed after just one season at the Bernabeu as a team including new signings Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso finished second in La Liga. Malaga named him as their new manager in November 2010.
He was heavily linked with the City job immediately following the dismissal of Mancini, who left after the Blues failed to retain the Premier League title and lost in the FA Cup final to Wigan.
Assistant manager David Platt was among the members of Mancini's backroom staff who departed in the wake of the Italian's sacking.
Pellegrini is the third manager, after Mark Hughes and Mancini, to take charge of City under the ownership of the Abu Dhabi United Group.
The club's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, recently said that he wanted to win five trophies over the next five years.
And City have already signed 28-year-old midfielder Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk and winger Jesus Navas, 27, from Sevilla this summer.
Malaga, meanwhile, have announced former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster as Pellegrini's replacement.
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