Sunday 27 March 2016 12:08, UK
Manuel Pellegrini admits he could be tempted to stay in the Premier League after he leaves Manchester City – if he is offered the right ‘project’.
The Chilean will be replaced by Pep Guardiola at City this summer after three years in charge at the Etihad Stadium, winning the league title in 2013/14.
However, his team currently lie fourth in the table and have work to do hold off West Ham and Manchester United in the race for a top-four finish.
Although City's domestic form has dipped in recent weeks, the former Real Madrid manager is likely to find plenty of suitors for his services this summer.
The 62-year-old has enjoyed his time in England and would be open to staying in the Premier League, even if it means taking over a club that do not boast a similar wealth of resources.
"It depends on the mentality of the manager," he said. "I always remember when I finished with Real Madrid, I had a lot of different options and I chose Malaga because the project was interesting.
"It doesn't matter which club you are going to, whether it's a big or a small team, it depends on the project of the club and what they want to develop at the club and the players you can bring to the club.
"There are a lot of interesting things here in England because all the clubs have money to have a good project, so surely a lot of managers will be interested in a lot of clubs."
While City have disappointed in the league this season, Leicester have stunned the sporting world to top the table and Pellegrini believes the ever-increasing wealth bestowed upon Premier League clubs by lucrative TV rights deals ensures greater parity than in other top leagues.
"I think it's a strange season but I'm sure it's the first strange season for a lot and they will be very similar because all the clubs here have an important amount of money," Pellegrini said.
"With the new rights from the TV deal you have more money and all the teams here in England can pick good players."
One of City's primary aims this season was to improve their record in the Champions League and they have achieved that by progressing to the last eight for the first time in the club's history.
However, Pellegrini feels the strain of City's European campaign has cost his team in the league and that is an area where he feels Leicester - who are not involved in European competition - have held a significant advantage over their title rivals.
Pellegrini explained: "It's very important not to play in the mid-week because you can work with your teams. It's impossible to work when you are just playing, playing, playing.
"All those teams who are not involved in Europe can work during the whole week, so I'm sure this season with Leicester and next season we will see a couple more teams involved with the title.
"Last season Leicester were in the relegation positions but they won six of their last seven games and drew one. They continued this season so it's not just that they have played for part of the season.
"They have demonstrated it in different seasons. They have had a different manager but they have a very good squad and I'm sure they will try to bring more good players for next season."
