Egypt's electricity minister, Copelouzos Group discuss progress on Egypt–Greece power interconnection    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Prime Developments, Osoul for Tourism Development launch EGP 1.25bn CLAN project in Hurghada    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Total financing by FRA-regulated entities hits EGP 640.1bn in June 2025    Egypt aims to restore gas output, reach self-sufficiency by 2027: PM    EGP climbs vs USD in Wed.'s trading close    Egypt, Saudi Arabia reject Israeli plan to occupy Gaza    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    27 Western countries issue joint call for unimpeded aid access to Gaza    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September, New Zealand to decide    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Global matcha market to surpass $7bn by 2030: Nutrition expert    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Oil rises on Wednesday    Egypt, Uganda strengthen water cooperation, address Nile governance    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Egypt, Malawi explore pharmaceutical cooperation, export opportunities    Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo launches folk painting workshop    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Pellegrini threatens Mourinho's future at Real Madrid
The Engineer can put spanner in Mourinho's works at the royal club
Published in Ahram Online on 19 - 12 - 2012

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has the chance to put the future of the man who replaced him at Real Madrid under the microscope if his team beat Jose Mourinho's misfiring side when they visit on Saturday.
Real's surprise 2-2 draw at home to lowly Espanyol on Sunday left them four points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid and a whopping 13 adrift of unbeaten leaders Barcelona after only 16 games.
The champions have already dropped more points than they did in the whole of last year's record-breaking championship campaign and a deflated Mourinho said after the Espanyol game that the title was "almost impossible now."
On Saturday, Real president Florentino Perez, who brought Mourinho to the club in 2010, backed his Portuguese coach to the hilt but on Monday he fired out what sounded like a rebuke.
"Real Madrid has a sporting principle that one should never give up, however difficult the challenge," he said at a club event.
Perez and Real's fans have a notorious shortage of patience and a failure to win would have the vultures circling going into the two-week winter break, with their desire to win the Champions League the main reason for holding off more drastic action until later in the campaign.
Pellegrini knows Mourinho's situation all too well.
In his trophyless year at the Bernabeu in the 2009-10 season he set a then club record tally of 96 points in La Liga only to finish second behind Pep Guardiola's Barca, and he was unceremoniously ditched in favour of Mourinho.
The calm, silver-haired Chilean, known as 'the engineer', is a striking contrast to his brash, outspoken successor and there is little love lost between the two.
Mourinho's belittling dig at Pellegrini a year ago, when he said he would never go and coach a team like Malaga but would instead leave Real to go and take the helm at a big club in England or Italy, did little to endear him to the locals either.
Pellegrini has stuck to his guns, however, and guided them to fourth in La Liga last season, their highest ever finish which earned them a first ever shot at the Champions League.
SPECTACLE AND CREATIVITY
Despite the loss of players such as Santi Cazorla, who was sold to Arsenal, and problems with the payment of squad wages, Malaga qualified for the last 16 in Europe as leaders of their group ahead of AC Milan.
Their attractive passing game and solid defence, currently the tightest in La Liga with only 10 goals conceded this season, has put them in fourth on 28 points level with Real Betis and five points behind Mourinho's team.
Real have struggled on the road and have striker concerns with Gonzalo Higuain still sidelined while out-of-form Karim Benzema is a doubt with a foot problem.
The game throws up a clash of styles just when Mourinho's counter-attacking tactics are being questioned the most.
"Madrid cannot be a team who runs behind the ball..with players of that category and standing," Pellegrini said in a recent interview.
"I don't like coaches who are only interested in results. The concepts of spectacle and creativity are fundamental to me."
Barca could increase the pressure on Real and move 16 points clear of their arch-rivals with their 16th win in 17 league games if they can overcome Valladolid away on Saturday (1700) before the match at the Rosaleda kicks off (1900).
Second-placed Atletico close out the year at home to promoted Celta Vigo on Friday (2100).
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)


Clic here to read the story from its source.