Spain

Mancini: I Would Be Honored To Coach Real Madrid

The coach is eager to take charge of a team again and would relish the chance to succeed Manuel Pellegrini.

Nov 4, 2009 1:58:21 PM

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Roberto Mancini (Getty Images)

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With Manuel Pellegrini under pressure at Real Madrid, Roberto Mancini has expressed his desire to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu.

El Pais claimed on Wednesday that Mancini had done everything possible to be heard by president Florentino Perez and had offered himself to the club to take Pellegrini's place, should the Chilean be sacked.

"I am the best coach that Real Madrid could have - my initials are not R.M. by chance," he is quoted as saying by the Spanish daily.

The former Inter, Fiorentina and Lazio trainer has further stoked the fires by telling Italian news agency ANSA that he would be honored to coach los Blancos, although he denied speaking to El Pais.

"Every coach would be honored to coach Real Madrid, I'm ready for a new challenge," Mancini announced.

"I'm thankful for the attention I've received in the Spanish press, even though I've not telephoned any journalists and I've not issued any statements that were reported in the press today.

"I'm ready for a new club and for a new challenge in Italy or abroad. Any coach would be honored to be able to sit on the bench of such a prestigious club as Real Madrid."

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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