Ronaldo should have ended his career in Madrid - Pellegrini

The current West Ham manager gave an interview on Spanish radio where he discussed Real Madrid's present situation and the pressure the Bernabéu exerts.

Manuel Pellegrini was a guest on Spanish radio show El Larguero on Monday evening before heading south to Málaga where a roundabout was to be named in his honour in the city on Tuesday. A former Real Madrid coach, the West Ham boss discussed the current situation at the club, Julen Lopetegui, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard.

“Pressure at Real Madrid is the same for everyone,” the Chilean tactician said. “It’s a complicated team to manage because even a draw gets the alarm bells ringing. Lopetegui has the experience he gained with Spain and will get the project off the ground. The players are the ones who have to do the job on the pitch and Madrid have world class players and good alternatives.”

Pellegrini: "Cristiano should have ended his career in Madrid"

However, Pellegrini said what many are thinking when he referred to Cristiano Ronaldo, who he managed during his single season at Real Madrid in 2009-10. “Madrid have lost a lot of goals; Cristiano took too many goals with him when he left. He should have ended his career in Madrid and I was surprised they allowed him to leave. There is a difference between Bale and Cristiano, who has made the difference for the last 10 years.”

Of Karim Benzema, Pellegrini suggested that his modest scoring rate would continue this season as he is not an out-and-out striker. “He has been at Madrid for nine years and has a goals average he will maintain. He is a mixture between a creative player and one who operates on the edge of the area.”

The West Ham manager also suggested that Eden Hazard could be play for Real Madrid at some point in the future: “He is a player of great quality. He is playing at an extraordinary level and making the difference. He can play at any club in the world.”