Manuel Pellegrini's Remarkable Coaching Career Deserves More Recognition Ahead of Dortmund Reunion

Posted : 03 November 2026

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has built an impressive reputation through decades of success in European football, although his failure to win the Champions League continues to raise questions about his place among the game's greatest coaches.

The 73-year-old Chilean returns to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday with Betis enjoying an excellent European campaign. His team have won all three of their opening Champions League league-phase matches, putting them among the early contenders for a place in the knockout rounds.

However, the trip to Germany brings back painful memories for Pellegrini, whose Malaga side suffered one of the most heartbreaking defeats of his managerial career against Dortmund in 2013. Despite taking the tie into its closing stages, Malaga conceded twice in stoppage time and lost 3-2 on the night, missing out on a place in the semi-finals.

The defeat was particularly difficult for Pellegrini, who had travelled to Germany after attending his father's funeral in Chile. He also questioned the officials following the match, believing that Felipe Santana's decisive goal should have been ruled out for offside.

That summer, Pellegrini moved to Manchester City, where he won the Premier League title and two League Cups during his three-year spell. Despite those achievements, he was unable to deliver the Champions League trophy before leaving in 2016.

Since taking charge of Real Betis in 2020, Pellegrini has enjoyed one of the most stable periods of his coaching career. He guided the Andalusian club to their first Copa del Rey triumph in 17 years in 2022 and helped them return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence.

His commitment to attacking football has also made Betis an entertaining side to watch, with creative players such as Isco and Ez Abde playing important roles in his system. The club have secured European qualification in six consecutive seasons, while reaching their first-ever European final in 2025 before losing to Chelsea in the Conference League.

Pellegrini's managerial achievements extend well beyond his current position. He transformed Villarreal into Champions League semi-finalists in 2006 and guided them to second place in LaLiga two years later, finishing above Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Those performances earned him the Real Madrid job in 2009. Although he collected a then club-record 96 points in the league, he was dismissed after one season as Florentino Perez turned to Jose Mourinho in pursuit of the club's long-awaited 10th European crown.

His achievements have earned admiration from fellow managers, including Lille coach Davide Ancelotti, who believes the Chilean deserves greater recognition for his contribution to football.

Pellegrini, however, has consistently maintained that winning trophies should not be the only measure of a manager's success. He believes his responsibility is to improve the teams he takes charge of while remaining faithful to his footballing philosophy.

Supporters of Villarreal, Malaga and Real Betis have experienced some of their clubs' most memorable periods under his leadership, providing a strong argument for his legacy despite the absence of a Champions League winners' medal.

Manuel Pellegrini's Remarkable Coaching Career Deserves More Recognition Ahead of Dortmund Reunion

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