Mourinho Joined, While Pellegrini Had To Go

Real Madrid have announced the sacking of manager Manuel Pellegrini, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to take up the vacant Bernabeu hotseat.

Pellegrini was charged with bringing domestic and European glory to the club, on the back of Barcelona's treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League triumphs in 2009.

But despite Real spending €252 million on new faces including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso, los Merengues failed to win any major silverware.

Pellegrini's side finished second in the Primera Division, exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by lower league minnows Alcorcon.

Real president Florentino Perez revealed the decision at a press conference on Wednesday.

Mourinho, who led Inter to an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles, is under contract with the Nerazzurri until June 2012, but has a get-out clause in his deal which will be exercised should Madrid meet the fee of €16 million euros.

The Portuguese boss has appeared confident over the past few days that he will be coaching in Spain next season, and after meeting with Inter's finance director Rinaldo Ghelfi in Milan on Tuesday said: "Now I am on holiday, then I will go and work in Spain.

Related Titles :

Real Madrid

Primera Division

Jose Mourinho