The numbers that show Real Madrid may have been better off with Pellegrini than Mourinho

Copa del Rey: Real Madrid-Malaga: Manuel Pellegrini y Jose Mourinho

Copa del Rey: Real Madrid-Malaga: Manuel Pellegrini y Jose Mourinho

ANALYSIS
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

“If Real Madrid sacked me,” Jose Mourinho mused last season, “I would go to one of the big teams in Italy or England – I wouldn’t go to Malaga.”

The Portuguese was talking about his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini, who headed to the Costa del Sol to rebuild his reputation after a sole season at the Santiago Bernabeu. Two years on, however, Malaga are flying high at home and abroad while Mourinho’s Madrid lick their wounds having already lost six matches in 2012-13.

So was Mourinho really an upgrade on Pellegrini?

The numbers indicate he may not have been. In one campaign at Madrid, Pellegrini led the capital club to their then-highest points total of 96, only to lose out to Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Barcelona, who claimed three more in 2009-10. Nevertheless, the total was four better than Mourinho managed a season later, and that after the Portuguese had been given practically free rein to sign the players he wanted.

PELLEGRINI VS MOURINHO
LA LIGA
P38, W31, D3, L4
Win percentage: 81.5%
Titles: 0 (out of 1)

COPA DEL REY
P2, W1, D0, L1
Win percentage: 50%
Titles: 0 (out of 1)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
P8, W4, D2, L2
Win percentage: 50%
Titles: 0 (out of 1)

OVERALL
P48, W36, D5, L7
Win percentage: 75%
Titles: 0 (out of 3)

LA LIGA
P92, W71, D12, L9
Win percentage: 77.2%
Titles: 1 (out of 2)

COPA DEL REY
P16, W13, D2, L1
Win percentage: 81.2%
Titles: 1 (out of 2)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
P30, W21, D6, L3
Win percentage: 70%
Titles: 0 (out of 2)

OVERALL
P144, W106, D21, L17
Win percentage: 73.6%
Titles: 3* (out of 8*)

  * Includes two Spanish Supercopas

That was a luxury not afforded to Pellegrini. The Chilean did benefit from the influx of fresh faces upon the return of Florentino Perez to the club in the summer of 2009, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema, but he later complained at the imbalance of the side, claiming he had neither “voice nor vote” at the Bernabeu and likening the squad to “an orchestra without a piano player.”

However, when Madrid missed out on the Champions League with a shock second-round exit against Lyon and were humbled by lowly Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey, they couldn’t shoot the piano player. So they pushed Pellegrini.

Mourinho, of course, came with high pedigree, having won the Champions League with both Porto and Inter. Here was a winner who was just what Madrid needed to bring down the best-ever Barcelona side in history. And it’s hard to argue with that hypothesis, even now.

The Portuguese, after all, has claimed three trophies in his spell of just over two seasons. His first year brought the Copa del Rey, while the second saw his side break both the points and goals records in La Liga to beat Barca into second place. His Madrid team have also reached back-to-back semi-finals in the Champions League, something which had not occurred at Real since the Vicente del Bosque era.

With time to work, the backing of the board and the chance to bring in the players he felt could balance the squad, however, Pellegrini may have gone on to achieve similar success.

Additionally, his brand of attacking football was more in tune with what most Madrid fans feel should be their side’s style of play – a passing and possesion philosophy more similar to Barca’s than their current counter-attacking game under the Portuguese.

Mourinho has brought titles to the club, though, and may yet win the biggest of them all, the Champions League, which has become the ‘Holy Grail’ for Madrid fans in recent years.

Soon enough, we will find out. With Pellegrini, we sadly never will – at least while Florentino Perez is in charge. But his win percentage proves he may have been just as successful at Real Madrid.

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Mourinho says Kaka is unlikely to leave Bernabeu during transfer window

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has said he does not believe Kaka will leave the Santiago Bernabeu during the upcoming transfer window, despite rumours to the contrary.

The 30-year old has been linked with moves to Corinthians and New York Red Bulls, but the Madrid coach said he wanted the former AC Milan forward to stay in the Spanish capital.

“I don’t think we’ll do anything in January, and I don’t think Kaka will leave either,” Mourinho told a press conference.

“If he stays it’s good for the team,” he added.

Mourinho also took the time to speak about Uefa’s recent decision to fine and ban Saturday’s La Liga opponents Malaga.

The Andalusians have been excluded from the next Uefa club competition for which they qualify, and could face further sanctions after failing to meet financial requirements.

“I hope that the terms are given so that it is sorted out. If they earn [European qualification] on the pitch it would be sad that, for non-sporting reasons, they could not do it. It would be sad for the fans,” he said.

The former Inter coach also expressed his support for Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova, who has recently fallen ill.

“What I do in private, I do not say publicly. If I have talked to him [Vilanova] or sent him a message, it’s personal. When a fellow coach has a health problem, we are all on the same side. For Tito and his family, we are with them.”

Los Blancos currently lie third in the Liga table after amassing 33 points from their opening 16 games, and travel to face fourth-placed Malaga, who are just five points behind Mourinho’s men. Kick off is 20:00CET on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United later in his career.

The Portugal captain left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in a £80 million deal in 2009, but has been linked with a move away from the Liga champions recently, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a possible destination.

However, the 70-year-old admits he is not seriously considering a move for the attacker at the moment, and joked he may only be able to make an offer when his contract at the Bernabeu expires.

Sir Alex told reporters: “I’d love to see that, but it’s fanciful thinking really.

“First of all, how much it would take to get him from Real Madrid, and secondly, I don’t think there’s any chance they would want to sell him anyway. But you never know. I don’t know when his contract finishes.

“He may want to go to another club at some point in his career and I’d hope he would want to come here. But that’s a long way off.

“I’ve been very fortunate in having [Paul] Scholes and [Ryan] Giggs. I’ve had fantastic players – [Eric] Cantona. He’s certainly in that bracket as one of the best I have managed, there’s no question about that.”

Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in the New Year as Madrid and United square off in the last 16 of the Champions League and Sir Alex is expecting a warm welcome back for the Portuguese.

He added: “One thing is for sure, he’ll get a great reception when he comes to Old Trafford and when he comes on the pitch. After that, they can boo all they like!

“United fans have always been that way with players who performed for us. Players who are part of the history of the success of the club are recognised when they come back.

“We’re proud of the part we played in his career. To get six years out of a boy when he comes at 17 and played for us for six years, we’ve done well.

“He always had a hankering to go to Madrid in his career and we helped him on that way.

“It wasn’t disloyalty because I got another year out of him when he wanted to go the previous year. He honoured that and was fantastic for us. He went with our blessing.

“My way of looking at it is that we were lucky to have him for six years and the United fans would share that.”

Mourinho: I hope Rafa wasn't thinking about Madrid during Club World Cup defeat

The long-standing rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez again came to the fore on Friday as the Real Madrid manager questioned Chelsea’s performance against Corinthians in the Club World Cup Final.

The Blues lost 1-0 to the Brazilian side in Yokohama last Sunday, and interim manager Benitez has endured a tough time since taking over from Roberto di Matteo in November.

And Mourinho suggested that there could be a possibility that Benitez will succeed him at the Bernabeu.

“I do not know where he will go,” the 49-year-old stated at a press conference. “But as a fan of Chelsea, I hope that during the game against Corinthians he was not thinking of Madrid.”

The former Chelsea boss also took the time to discuss his side’s recent poor form, with rivals Barcelona now 13 points ahead of current champions Madrid in La Liga after his side dropped two points at home in a 2-2 draw Espanyol.

“What happens is the fault of those who won the League. Everyone is guilty. Everyone must find motivation so that we can improve. I unashamedly say that we are unhappy with the [displays in] recent months. We have to improve in everything.

“I have more experience of victories than defeat. I’ve had 400 games and only lost 10 per cent of them, so I have to adapt to this situation.”

Madrid face a trip to Malaga on Saturday, who are currently one place and five points below Mourinho’s side.

Word on the Tweet: Ronaldo hits 15m followers and Kompany hates British weather

Fear not, football fans, the weekend is almost upon us, and the world HAS NOT ended. I repeat: it has not ended.

Accordingly, the Twittosphere has responded with it’s very best, with our favourite players and managers tweeting from the very bizarre to the very boring.

A prominent theme has inevitably been the not so inevitable end of the world, but don’t worry, there’s also the perils of boring coach journeys and Jolean Lescott discussing body fat.


All that and more in today’s ‘Yay it is not the end of the world day’ edition of the Word on the Tweet

“Thank you for reaching 15M followers on twitter. It’s now time to #Celebrate15M during the Christmas holidays.”

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany expresses his frustration at Britain’s world-famous weather. Cheer up, Vincent, you’re only six points behind Manchester United!

“Just to confirm the world was meant to end yesterday but I signed a new 10 year deal with God so we safe the next decade #weaintgotnoworries

Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong reveals the reason we’re all still here. Thanks Frimmy!!!

“Its a long road to wisdom but a short road to being ignored.”

Sorry what was that? I think Joey Barton said something. Not sure, though, WOTT wasn’t really paying attention…

“Bodyfat was 8.9% not happy but only Milly and Gael lower then me which ain’t bad cause them 2 are a joke.”

Manchester City defender Jolean Lescott reveals his disappointment with his body fat levels. WOTT, on the other hand, knows one or two who wouldn’t dream of such a low score…

“How boring is a trip on the coach!im lucky to have my series and my music to entertain me!!lol. #azontoimprovement”

Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong speaks of the less glamorous parts of being a professional footballer…

“On the coach on the way to the midlands. Bit of dexter on the iPad #awaydays”

Elliot Bennett offers a more positive outlook than his Norwich team-mate, but WOTT wonders what the need for serial killers is… what’s wrong with a good old-fashioned bit of Fawlty Towers?

“My driver @errol_davis is a City fan so for his birthday treat I’ve made him wear a red #5cap #CantTakeitOff!”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand reveals how he deals with colleagues: carefully crafted methods of torture disguised as Christmas gifts. We take our hats off to you, Rio.

“He who don’t hear… Must feel!”

Swansea midfielder Wayne Routledge tries his hand as the new Shakespare. Should probably stick to running the wing, Wayne