Pellegrini begins role with China Fortune

Chilean manager was hired by Hebei side back in June

Manuel Pellegrini, the former manager of English Premier League side Manchester City, has begun in his new role with Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune.

Luring high profile players and coaches from Europe with lucrative contracts has become common practice for CSL clubs in recent years, but the arrival of Pellegrini still caused a sensation within China's soccer circles.

Upon landing in the sixth country of his managerial career on Sept 8, the Chilean - who has been signed by China Fortune on a three year deal - was mobbed by rapturous fans at the airport. His official introductory news conference three days later was similarly packed with Chinese media.

Citing the club's long-term ambitions that fit with his own managerial concepts, Pellegrini said he envisions a bright future for the newly promoted CSL side.

"We know that we have an important challenge and we are sure that we will do our best to make Hebei the most important club in China and in Asia," said Pellegrini, who led City to victory in the Football League Cup and Premier League as the first manager from outside Europe to do so in 2014.

After being replaced by Pep Guardiola in June, the 62-year-old received multiple job offers from other top European sides but the game's untapped potential in China was the more attractive option.

"It's a very attractive challenge here in Asia because I already worked 20 years in South America and 20 years in Europe. I had a lot of different options that may be from more important leagues. But I don't think they were more attractive than this project and this goal to be one of the most important clubs in Asia. That's the reason why I came," said Pellegrini, who started his managerial career with Universidad de Chile in 1988.

"We know that the Chinese league is growing and we would like to be part of it ... the most important thing is that China as a country wants to grow football by bringing very good players and different mangers. We want to contribute to this progress."

The arrival of the Chilean reflects the new foreign focus of big-spending CSL clubs, which have already attracted high profile coaches such as former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and ex-Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Pellegrini's resume includes a short stint with Spanish La Liga giant Real Madrid in the 2009-2010 season, during which he steered the team to amass a then club record 96 points, only losing the league title to Barcelona by three points.

However, it was Pellegrini's competence in growing small-market and young teams rapidly, highlighted by his tenure with La Liga sides Villarreal and Malaga, that appealed to the Hebei side.

"Pellegrini and his team will also be involved in the design and development of our club's youth cultivation system. As a young team we are keen to establish our own identity which we would like to build based on his attacking football style," said Ye Jun, chairman of the club.

In the first season with Pellegrini at the helm, Villarreal moved up five spots to finish third in La Liga in 2005 and reached the Champions League semifinals one year later. He also led low-profile side Malaga to the Champions League quarterfinals on the club's debut season in 2013.

Currently ranked fifth in the CSL, China Fortune is still holding out for chance to qualify for next season's AFC Champions League, but the club is also looking ahead to a year of rejuvenation under Pellegrini starting from 2017.

"Starting from next year, we will fight for higher goals than just maintaining our CSL appearance under manager Pellegrini. Hopefully, we can win the league and become continental champions in as few as five years," said Ye.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn