Pellegrini dodges future talk

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-18 10:01

MADRID - Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini refused to be drawn on his future after watching his side lose the La Liga title to Barcelona on the final day of the season.

Pellegrini spent more than 250 million euros ($308 million) in the summer on new 'Galacticos' but could not deliver a trophy in his maiden season and the Chilean is expected to be axed with Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings.

"I am not going to talk about my position and I am not the person to evaluate my work," said Pellegrini. "The simple fact is I have a contract for one more year."

Pellegrini guided Real to a record 96 points in the league but could not match Barcelona's 99 points as Madrid watched their arch-rivals retain the title.

Real needed to beat Malaga and hope Barcelona dropped points against Valladolid but in the end Real drew 1-1 with Malaga as their season petered out.

A league win would have been a real shot in the arm for the under-fire Pellegrini who had failed in the Champions League with his Real charges crashing out to Lyon at the last 16 stage to end their dream of a final at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

"It is not easy to build a team with a new coach and new players," said Pellegrini. "Some of the criticism has been fair and some of it not at all fair.

"It has not been easy to get so many points against a great Barcelona side although we can't say it has been a good season without picking up a trophy.

"I appreciate the efforts of the players who were always ready to work. Their conduct has been exemplary on and off the field. We have to continue closing the gap on Barcelona but this squad will give the club the titles it needs."