Pellegrini leaving Malaga

Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that he will be leaving Malaga at the end of the season, amidst reports that he is close to taking over at Manchester City.

Pellegrini has been widely tipped to be Roberto Mancini's replacement after guiding Malaga to the Champions League quarter-finals this season.



Pellegrini had previously managed in Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, and it now appears it could only be a matter of time until the Premier League welcomes its first Chilean manager.

"My coaching staff and I are separating from Malaga," Pellegrini said, quoted on Marca.com. Our union with this city will be eternal. I'm going for sporting reasons."

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has stated that he would welcome Pellegrini's arrival at the club.

"I think he is a great manager," said Nasri. He proved himself with Villarreal. At Real Madrid as well, even though he didn't win the title, they finished with 96 points. And at Malaga too. All his teams play attractive football and I think that's what people want to see. You pay for a ticket to go to football to see something great and he's the kind of manager who can do it."

Gael Clichy, meanwhile, has expressed his surprise that Mancini was sacked by the club after such a successful stint in charge.

For me it's always difficult as obviously he brought me to the club," Clichy said.



"It's the first time a manager has been axed since I've been at a club, so it's a bit of a shock and if you look at his record it's difficult to understand. He's won trophies, the title after 44 years. He won the team the first title.



"Many people, particularly the fans, would have wanted to give him another go. But that's the way it is, we are only football players."

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Second year of Malaga ban waived

Spanish side Malaga have had the second year of their two-year suspension from European football repealed by UEFA.



Manuel Pellegrini's side were handed the ban by the governing body in December because of unpaid bills, but following the decision to halve that punishment they will only be unable to compete in continental competition for one season should they qualify within the next four years.



However, Pellegrini's men sit sixth and are primed to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League, and La Rosaleda outfit keen for the ban to be removed completely after lodging appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.



A statement on the club's website read: "Malaga Club de Futbol received an official communication from UEFA today, Thursday May 16, stating that the financial control committee has confirmed, after analysing the situation surrounding the Martiricos outfit at as at March 31, 2013, that they are revoking the second year sanction imposed on the club.



"This resolution, together with the approval of the UEFA licence application for 2013-14, means that Malaga Club de Futbol is now just awaiting a decision by the TAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) – taking pace on June 4 – to determine whether the club can take part in European competition next year, if they achieve qualification at the end of the league season."



The news was greeted positively by the club's general manager Vicente Casado, who believes the decision confirms the UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists are financially viable.



He said: "This decision and the granting of the Licence confirms what the Club has maintained since the beginning, when our compliance with regulations was first in question.



"We've worked, and will continue to work as hard as we can, as we're very optimistic about the future."

No deal with City - Pellegrini

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has denied having an agreement in place to become the next manager of Manchester City.



It has been reported that the Chilean has been lined up to succeed current City manager Roberto Mancini, whose position at the Etihad Stadium has come under the spotlight following a hugely disappointing season. According to reports, Mancini, whose team lost the FA Cup final to Wigan at the weekend, could even be sacked before the Blues take on Reading on Tuesday night.



However, Pellegrini insists he has no deal in place with any club for next season and is currently focused only on trying to help Malaga secure a Europa League place. "I deny here and now being the new coach of Manchester City, I haven't signed any agreement with anybody," Pellegrini told Malaga's official website after their goalless Primera Division draw with Sevilla.



"I've been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big clubs have shown an interest in me. I have an agreement with Malaga not to talk to anyone and nothing has been agreed with any other club.



"I hope in the coming weeks that things will become a little clearer what is going to be the future here at this club."



Malaga have struggled with form since their heartbreaking Champions League quarter-final defeat by Borussia Dortmund, winning two of six Primera Division matches while losing three.



Despite that, Malaga are still sixth in the league standings and will be hoping to stay there over the final two games of the season.



Even if they do finish in sixth though they may not be playing in continental competition next season with a one-year ban from European football hanging over them. UEFA handed out the punishment in December due to the Spanish club's outstanding debts, but the club are hoping for a reprieve.



The former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach added of speculation about his future: "There are a lot of rumours.



"The coaching team and players are focused on qualifying the team for Europe. Overcoming the trauma of being knocked out of the Champions League wasn't easy, but we're still hoping to qualify for the Europa League."

Malaga coach link with Man City

is being strongly linked with a move to replace Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, with Spanish newspaper AS claiming a deal has been struck for the experienced Malaga boss to take over at the Etihad Stadium.

The Independent, Guardian and Sun newspapers are also reporting that Pellegrini is in line to succeed Mancini, with the reports certain to infuriate the City boss ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan at Wembley.



Several bookmakers in England have reported a flood of "unusual" bets being placed on Pellegrini taking charge of the 2012 Premier League champions, yet representatives of the former Real Madrid manager and City officials have both refused to be drawn on the speculation.



Mancini admitted on Friday that his future could be on the line after City surrendered the Premier League title to local rivals Manchester United in such conclusive fashion this season, as he fears FA Cup success may not be enough to keep him in a job.



"I won seven trophies in four years at Inter Milan and they sacked me after four years, this is football," said Mancini. "I know football enough to understand this.



"In this moment, it's better that we think about the final. After we have time to talk about everything. I want only to do my job well if it's possible and continue to win every year. This is my target.




"I don't have other situations where I want to improve. It's important for every club to have a manager who can take a lot of decisions about the team, but now it's important we win this trophy. The FA Cup is important for every club."



Mancini has been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco in recent days, but many City fans will be surprised by speculation over his future just hours before a major Wembley final.

Santa Cruz in talks over permanent move

Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz has revealed he is in talks with Malaga over making his loan switch permanent, although Botafogo remain interested in the forward.



The 31-year-old has been on loan with the Andalusians since the start of the season and has scored 10 goals in 40 games in all competitions for Manuel Pellegrini's men.



However, financial difficulties at La Rosaleda could prove to be an issue with regards a permanent deal and Santa Cruz has confirmed he is pleased to hear of Botafogo's interest.



“The interest [from Botafogo] does exist and I'm aware of it, my agents are analysing this possibility that has appeared and there are some talks," he told Paraguayan outlet Radio La Nueva RGS.



"It's a very big club; I'm flattered by their interest. It's always important to be wanted by a club of such size."



Santa Cruz cost Manchester City £17.5 million when he joined them in the summer of 2009 from Blackburn Rovers, but failed to establish himself after boss Mark Hughes was replaced by Roberto Mancini.



The striker has since enjoyed loan spells back at Ewood Park as well as in Spain with Real Betis and while his future remains uncertain he is confident a return to Manchester is not likely.



"I am also having conversations with Malaga, but I am not going to renew my contract with Manchester City," he added. "I'll be a free agent."

Saturday's round up of the top transfer stories

- Liverpool are keen on signing Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz in a £14million deal, according to the Daily Star.



- Palermo playmaker Josip Ilicic has refused to rule out a move away from the club in January after being linked with Liverpool.



- Malaga starlet Isco, who has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, has emerged as Manchester City's top January transfer target, according to Goal.com.



- Schalke have confirmed they are in contract talks with Lewis Holtby, who has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, with general manager Horst Heldt telling kicker-Sportmagazin: "I cannot predict what the result of the contract talks with Lewis Holtby will be, I can only confirm that we are going to discuss a new deal."



- Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna, who has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United, has emerged as a target for AC Milan, according to talkSPORT.



- Malaga have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Inter Milan midfielder Ricky Alvarez, according to CalcioMercato.



- Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman believes Wilfried Zaha, who is a target for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, should ignore interest from the Premier League, telling talkSPORT: "I've got a responsibility to not only the club's fans but to Wilfried and his family to let them know when the time is right to move on. I strongly believe it is not right now."



- Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has indicated that the Spanish giants will not attempt to sign Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao due to a “non-aggression pact” between the bitter inner-city rivals, Sky Sports understands.



- Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud has revealed that out-of-favor Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh could return to the Stade Chaban-Delmas, either on loan or on a permanent basis, during the January transfer window, ESPN Soccernet reports.



- Gary Hooper’s contract talks with Celtic have broken down, leaving the door open for Liverpool to sign the striker, according to talkSPORT.

Cazorla: I can still improve

Santi Cazorla feels Arsenal have not seen the best of him yet.



The Spain midfielder has impressed since his £15million summer move from Malaga, and cracked in a superb 25-yard goal in the 3-1 win at West Ham.



Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes the 27-year-old helps inspire the side with his cavalier style. Cazorla is happy with the way he has adapted so quickly, and hopes he will continue to enjoy life at Emirates Stadium.



Speaking at a press conference ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier away to Belarus, the midfielder said: "I have adapted well and my position within the Arsenal team gives me freedom.



"Maybe in the few months I have been there people have been talking a lot more about me.



"I feel important at Arsenal and I want to keep developing.I hope to continue to grow and improve in the future."