Most delays, simulation and slowest football in Europe, it’s a disgrace, criticises Manuel Pellegrini of Spain’s La Liga

Manuel Pellegrini is probably known to every football fan. In the past, he has managed Real Madrid and Manchester City, for example. Now he is the coach of Real Betis and after the last match of his charges he took a sharp swipe at the entire Spanish top competition.

The whole of La Liga is losing prestige. Barcelona are in debt, Real Madrid are not exactly inspiring much fear either, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are no longer in the competition, and virtually no really big names have come into the competition this summer.

You could say that in terms of popularity, the Spanish top flight has virtually never been number one. However, the question is how high a position it may be in now.

Real Betis’ coach, the famous Manuel Pellegrini, who has coached Real Madrid, Malaga, Manchester City and most recently West Ham, has also come in for criticism.

Quite possibly his comments were caused by frustration after a second 1-1 draw in a row. Betis failed to beat Cadiz, with Pellegrini’s charges clearly more active and better in the match.

Cadiz took a quick lead thanks to Negredo’s goal from a penalty in the 11th minute. Eleven minutes later it was level, but Real Betis’ opponents simply did not want to fight for the three points.

“Cadiz only defended. When they took the lead, it was even worse because they crawled in and didn’t try to play. Inthe last 15 minutes they didn’t play at all,” Pellegrini began his comments.

“La Liga is the slowest league in Europe. People want to be entertained, we don’t give them that. There is the most stalling and simulation. It’s a disgrace. We have to do something about it.”

It will be interesting to see how the competition’s management reacts to this statement. Fans, however, are largely in agreement with Pellegrini’s statement.

Source: La Liga Lowdown