Pellegrini responds to Mourinho: “He looks more mature and more thoughtful”

Manuel Pellegrini has accepted José Mourinho’s apology and used the opportunity to close a long-running chapter between the two coaches. Mourinho recently said he felt “like an idiot” over his past verbal attacks against the Chilean, prompting Pellegrini to respond before their next meeting.

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We have had many years of sporting rivalry, in which both of us have won and lost. He made those comments a long time ago, and the press tried to create a confrontation that never existed.

Pellegrini said the rivalry had been amplified by the press, rather than driven by a personal conflict. “We have had many years of sporting rivalry, in which both of us have won and lost. He made those comments a long time ago, and the press tried to create a confrontation that never existed,” the Real Betis manager said.

The Chilean also revisited the decision that fueled Mourinho’s most remembered criticism. After leaving Real Madrid in 2010, Pellegrini took charge of Málaga, a move he now describes as “one of the best decisions” of his career. He highlighted the historic and sporting impact he achieved with the Andalusian club, defending the choice that became part of the coaches’ long public exchange.

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One of the best decisions

Despite their past disagreements, Pellegrini spoke warmly about Mourinho’s coaching career. “I have an excellent opinion of him as a coach; he was always a great manager,” he said. Pellegrini added that Mourinho now appears “more mature and more thoughtful in what he says.”

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I have an excellent opinion of him as a coach; he was always a great manager.

Real Madrid and Real Betis will face each other on Friday at 3 p.m., providing the setting for another encounter between the two managers after Pellegrini’s conciliatory comments.

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He now looks more mature and more thoughtful in what he says.