Manuel Pellegrini: Real Madrid Have Had An Extraordinary Season

Posted Monday, May 17, 2010 by Goal.com

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini praised his side’s ‘extraordinary’ season, despite Malaga holding them to a 1-1 draw and Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Valladolid ensuring the Blaugrana retained their title.

Rafael van der Vaart cancelled out Duda’s first half goal, but in the end events at the Camp Nou ensured that there was to be no title party in Madrid this season.

Pellegrini, whose future at the club remains shrouded in mystery, insisted however that he was proud of his players' performances, and he commented to journalists after the match, “We knew it would be hard to win the league, but I still think we had an extraordinary championship.

“It is logical that the club will need to consider all of their options at the end of the season, but I will not talk about my post. I think we have the base of a good project and I want to be involved.”

The former Villarreal coach also refused to be drawn on criticism of his own side, instead choosing to praise the consistency of Barcelona in retaining their title.

He added, “From a personal standpoint, it was proven that it has not been easy to overtake Barcelona. They are a great side that produces great football, and is building on the foundations that they have laid in previous years.”