The tables are turned during this interview as Manuel Pellegrini starts asking the questions: ‘How many coaches are older than me? he says.
‘Carlo Ancelotti, maybe’, comes back the unconvinced reply. ‘Five years younger,’ responds the 69-year-old Real Betis manager.
‘There might be one and two but my point is that if I’m still here it shows I’ve achieved things and I’m still achieving things.’
He’s proud of winning the Spanish Cup with Betis last season, only their fourth trophy ever. And Manchester, where he finds himself this week, is another source of pride.