Things about to get Real for Pellegrini

FORMER Real Madrid and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is to take over at La Liga’s Real Betis from next season, Spanish newspaper El Pais said yesterday.

The report said the Chilean, 66, has agreed a two-year contract with the option of a third year with Betis, who sacked coach Rubi last month.

A report in newspaper Marca said the club want to wait until they have mathematically guaranteed their status in the top flight before announcing they have hired Pellegrini.

Pellegrini won the Premier League title with City in 2014 as well as two League Cups, and had successful stays in Spain with Villarreal, who he took to the Champions League semifinals in 2006.

He led Malaga into Europe’s top competition for the first time in

2012 and to the last eight of the competition the following year, losing to eventual finalists Borussia Dortmund.

He achieved a then club record of 96 points with Real Madrid in the 2009/10 season but failed to pip Barcelona to the title and was sacked and replaced by José Mourinho. He also oversaw an embarrassing last16 elimination in the Champions League to Olympique Lyonnais.

Pellegrini’s last job was with Premier League side West Ham United, who sacked him last December due to poor results.