Real Rebuild the Bernabeu

Pellegrini Adds to Madrid’s Armory

With the news of Carlo Ancelotti’s rather unsurprising arrival at Chelsea dominating this week’s football headlines, reports of another choice managerial vacancy being filled have slipped through relatively unnoticed.

Displaying uncharacteristic discretion, Real Madrid’s appointment on Monday of former Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini as replacement for the departing Juande Ramos is great news for a number of top European clubs. Thought to have be tracking the likes of Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho, Real’s hierarchy have decided instead to go with the La Liga veteran and highly dependable Chilean coach.

Pellegrini will walk the line at the Bernabeu

Interestingly, the arrival of Pellegrini at the Bernabeu coincides with the return to power of controversial president Florentino Perez and the introduction of former player Zinedine Zidane as advisor. Searching for stability in the face of an embarrassing loss to Liverpool in Europe and bitter rival Barcelona’s unprecedented hat-trick of titles, the Real hierarchy has laid down an early marker in the race for next season’s trophies. With Kaka rumored to be the priority summer signing and Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Franck Ribery on the radar, the Real faithful can relax in the knowledge that they may just be on the verge of reclaiming their pride.