Coach Manuel Pellegrini expressed a noteworthy view about the offside rule and suggested improvements for contemporary football following his Europa League triumph with Real Betis.
After the victory over Olympique Lyon in the Europa League, in the early hours of November 7, Manuel Pellegrini remained the focus by discussing football’s development path and his future at Betis. He emphasized that the current offside rule is still suitable and changing it might increase controversies. This topic also interests fans when discussing the current Europa League.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini stated: "It’s very difficult to give an opinion. In my view, the current offside rule is reasonable. With VAR, avoiding mistakes has become much easier. Now debating whether to consider the whole body or not... I think that only complicates things further." Pellegrini’s clear stance shows he disagrees with the proposals under consideration.
Not only opposing changes to the offside rule, Manuel Pellegrini also suggested another adjustment to make football more exciting. He proposed an idea similar to the basketball rule about crossing half-court: "Once the ball crosses the halfway line, it cannot return to the defensive half. That would make the game more dynamic." Pellegrini believes football needs a faster pace to attract global audiences.
Besides technical matters, Manuel Pellegrini’s future was also discussed following his comments to L'Équipe. He confirmed he has not made a final decision yet: "My future at Betis will be decided at the right time. The most important thing now is the club and today’s victory." This answer helps reduce speculation about contract extensions.
The Chilean strategist also expressed his desire to one day coach a national team: "I have always wanted to lead Chile at a World Cup, because it is my homeland and a unique experience." However, he clarified that this does not mean he is leaving Betis or moving closer to the Chilean national team. Will Pellegrini’s strong views add pressure on football managers?
Antony continues to shine against Lyon At Benito Villamarín stadium, Real Betis had a brilliant European night by defeating Lyon with a 2-0 aggregate score, opening the door to the Europa League knockout stage 2025/26. The highlight of that victory was Antony, who shone at the crucial moment with a decisive goal. See more