Pellegrini confesses his Madrid frustrations and hints at Barca

Ballon d'Or 2016 live

The Chilean manager, now in charge of Hebei Fortune in the Chinese Super League, Manuel Pellegrini, spoke on the programme 'El Larguero' Cadena SER and explained why he decided to make the move to the far east. He also reflected on his time at Real Madrid which casued him some frustration and couldn't rule out taking over the helm at Barcelona one day.

Chinese experience: "It's a club that has progressed a lot. I had offers in Spain, Italy, South America, France...but after many years in Europe, none of the offers were really for a competitive club. They [Hebei] came looking for me and this was important to me as it wasn't treated as a casting for a manager".

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Europe: "My period there was more than satisfactory and at the time all the big clubs had managers. I didn't want to wait around for three or four months".

Offers in Spain: "I had two offers. Fortunately there were teams that were interested in me. It doesn't matter who they were".

Current obligation: "I have a contract in China for two years and I won't break that, no matter who calls. I had a recent call from England and I told them the same".

Real Madrid: "I don't see much of them. Here the games are on at half past three in the morning. They do have potential with the names and ability there".

Cristiano Ronaldo: "From the first time I saw him train I believed that he would arrive at this point. I had no doubt that he would become what he is today. One of the biggest achievements was our 96-point season when Cristiano out injured for three months".

Ballon d'Or: "I think it has to be between Cristiano and Messi as they're the only ones that have made a difference. I don't compare them".

Disappointment at Madrid: "I would have liked to win titles. We had an extraordinary campaign. Cristiano was out of the team for three months. I would have loved to have been champions but I wouldn't have liked to continue in the conditions there. I had no interest in continuing at Real Madrid in the way we were working".

Pelligrini did go on to say that in spite of the frustrations of working there he was "fortunate to have worked at Madrid, where they made an important leap". That time was still a proud moment for him and he reflects on a survey taken where 75% of fans said they wanted him to continue.

A return to Madrid: "Returning is not on my mind. Personally, I try never to go back to a club that I've already managed. I like to have new experiences. This is one of the reasons for going to China".

Manchester City: "When they signed me, City were very clear. They came looking for me and said that they wanted me or Pep Guardiola. Guardiola didn't want to sign and I took the job for three years. I completed my time there and now Pep is there after his many years at Barcelona".

Barcelona mangement: "I would happily return to Spain, and to many teams if the right moment. I could have managed Barça in the past. Who would not like to take the reigns there, but at the moment I am focused on China".