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Manuel Pellegrini unveils the sign on the roundabout named in his honour.
"There will always be a place in my heart for Malaga"

"There will always be a place in my heart for Malaga"

Former Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini returned to the city on Tuesday to attend the long-awaited official naming ceremony for the roundabout which has carried his name for the last five years

Sergio Cortés

Tuesday, 9 October 2018, 18:04

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After a five-year wait, the big day finally arrived for former Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini on Tuesday as the roundabout named in his honour was officially unveiled.

The greatest coach in the clubs history, now at the helm at West Ham United (where Mario Husillos is director of football), has always maintained links with the city ever since he departed for Manchester City in June 2013. He, alongside his wife Carola and his grandchildren, frequently return to the province, making the most of any break in the Chilean coachs unrelenting schedule and never placed much importance on the delay. I receive the recognition of Malaga every time I come and feel the warmth and the appreciation of the people. The time will come when it comes, he is credited as saying a year and a half ago.

A ceremony full of emotion

  • Following such a long wait, even the rain couldnt stop the official unveiling of the Rotonda Manuel Pellegrini on Tuesday morning.

  • Located at the junction of Avenida Valle Inclán and Avenida Luis Buñuel, a short walk from La Rosaleda stadium, the roundabouts new name was officially unveiled by Pellegrini in the presence of his wife, Carola Pucci, as well as a number of representatives of the club, past and present, including key players during the period, Weligton and Duda.

  • President of the Diputación provincial government, Elías Bendodo, and Malagas Sports councillor, Elisa Pérez de Siles, proceeded over the ceremony, attended also by Antonio Checa, Chilean consul in Malaga, who stressed the importance of Pellegrini to his native country He is a legend for the Chilean people. There is no one more courteous than him.

  • Pellegrini, clearly emotional despite normally being so restrained, said I cant find the words to thank you enough for this recognition.

  • The players deserve it more than I do.

Clearly still following the club's fortunes very closely, it would be difficult to rule out a return one day. Ahead of the ceremony, Pellegrini spoke to SUR and reiterated that he felt very grateful for the recognition.

When the mayor Francisco de la Torre told you that day at the airport that he would like to name a street or something similar after you, you said it was an honour. This is now going to be a reality...

Yes, from now on I am going to feel even more of a connection with Malaga than Ialready have.

The truth is that youve never really left. Youve brought teams to train in Marbella, you have a house here, youre in contact with people at the club, you call to offer support when things arent going so well...

I always have a place in my heart for the city and the club. I have my home here and I come every time I get the chance. I said when I left that Malaga would be an important part of me when I retired but the reality is that it has been a permanent part of me.

Five years have passed since the decision to name the roundabout was approved. Why has there been such a delay since?

I dont really know. I went to Manchester City, it was postponed for some reason, then I went to China... Then not too long ago I met with [Diputación provincial government head] Elías Bendodo and he suggested this time because its when the Premier League takes a break.

And now the day is here.

As much as it has been delayed, my love and gratitude to Malaga has never changed. And to have my name on a roundabout is a great joy.

This is a personal opinion but this recognition is not only for your work as a coach but also your personality and rapport with the fans.

I think its a combination of things. I always said I would have loved to have stayed on at Real Madrid but the greatest compensation was to be able to come to Malaga. Perhaps some people wont understand but they were three wonderful years in every aspect and for that reason I always say that signing with Malaga was one of the greatest decisions of my life.

Perhaps for you one of the most wonderful moments was nothing to do with winning a game or qualifying for the Champions League...

I think so. It was the Liga game after we went to Dortmund [Pellegrini found out just before the Real Sociedad game that his father had died but went ahead with the game without telling anyone]. It was in Dortmunds ground [the return leg, the next game] that the Malaga fans showed me such affection. You know me well, Im very cool and calculated, but that feeling was indescribable. A few days later at La Rosaleda, that warmth is something I will never forget.

-Youre here now with Malaga top of the league. You must be pleased following the club from afar.

-Yes, of course. Seeing Malaga top of the table... I always say that Malaga has a great team behind the scenes. There are so many good people at the club that I cant forget who are always ready to lend a hand when needed.

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