Manuel Pellegrini’s response to those who claim he was bang in trouble is straightforward: “It is a moment and a moment the media must take advantage of it. “
But he takes it all with a philosophical calm saying: “Before the game ( against Chelsea ) or after the game, I don’t change. The pressure, the rumour that makes these activities big also but you cannot be affected.”
Speaking to reporters ahead of the game at Wolves he was entirely frank declaring: “I don’t think managers work only for money. If money is your motivation then I don’t think you will be a top manager.
What you can do, is do your work and that will allow you to have good contracts. I am here because I wanted to come here as a challenge. The motivation is the same in the first year for me as it has been for the next 20 years.
I never gave a target, I said we wanted to improve as a team, not to just defend at any stadium and see where we go.
I repeat, I always believe we can do it. This league is very tight,between fifth and 15th is five points, you must believe you can go into every game and then you get the points and see where you end up.
I never change my mentality. Maybe it was easier to play against Chelsea with five defenders and defend all the time but that is not my mentality. “
He was alo ready to discuss the speculation that Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo could be in line – along with Leicester City chief Brendan Rodgers – for the Arsenal job.
But he said: “I don’t think that a serious manager can leave a club for another during the season.
For me it would be a strange move, exactly the same as Brendan Rodgers and other managers that are in a good moment, that they would throw it all away. For me it is impossible to do it.
I have never done it. I finished all my contracts, except at Madrid but I left at the end of the season. I do not think it is the correct way to act to leave one club and go to another just because you are doing well.
Maybe it is easier to be sacked but for me, I would never leave a club because I have a better option in that moment.
If you are a good manager then why would you not get the opportunity again. If you believe in your work, finish the contract with the club then you will have another club.”