West Ham's Manuel Pellegrini holds no grudge against Manchester City - 'I knew Pep Guardiola would be coming to City'

New start: Pellegrini has returned to the Premier League after two seasons away
West Ham United via Getty Images
James Benge25 July 2018

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini insists he holds no hard feelings towards Manchester City over his exit to make way for Pep Guardiola two years ago.

On February 1, 2016, Pellegrini announced he would not be extending his contract ahead of what appeared to be the inevitable appointment of Guardiola, who had recently announced he would be leaving Bayern Munich.

Guardiola was a sword of Damocles hovering over Pellegrini throughout his three-year reign at City, where even a Premier League title in his first season and two League Cups were not enough to convince the Etihad hierarchy to end their covetous glances towards Bavaria.

Speaking at his unveiling as the new Hammers boss, Pellegrini acknowledged what had long been apparent - that he was merely keeping the dugout warm for Guardiola.

West Ham United via Getty Images

“I think I receive all the praise that I needed, I don’t need too much praise, but when I arrived at Manchester City, before I signed a contract, I know very well Txiki Beguristain and Ferran Soriano and they called me and they told me they had two options, Guardian and me,” Pellegrini said.

“At that moment Pep signed at Bayern Munich. And they got in touch with me, they were not doing a casting of managers, they came direct to me.

“And I knew that the moment Guardiola wanted to come to England he would be coming to Manchester City. So I finished three years [of my] contract there, I won the Premier League, twice the cup, was the highest scoring team in the history of England in one season. So I was very happy with my three years.

“I could have stayed in the Premier League but I wanted to go to China [where he managed Hebei China Fortune] and now I am at a great club like West Ham.

“I don’t have any problem with the owner of Manchester City, with the sporting director, with Txiki. They are all my friends and I leave there after three beautiful years.”

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