Manuel Pellegrini: Former Real Madrid and Man City Coach Defends Timing of AFCON

• Manuel Pelligrini has reacted to the timing of the Nations Cup
• The Real Betis manager will lose three players to 2023 AFCON
• The former Real Madrid coach is supporting his African players

Real Betis manager, Manuel Pelligrini says the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations must be respected by European clubs.

The decision to release players for the tournament during winter, which is a crucial time of the season, has become an issue of huge debate between clubs and countries.

Pelligrini, who worked with 2015 AFCON winner Yaya Toure, will lose Youssouf Sabaly of Senegal and Morocco duo Chadi Riad and EZ Abde to the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.

However, the veteran manager is not worried by their absence as he explains the pride in representing their nations.

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“ I don't have all the information on this subject (whether it should happen in winter or not). I think I've always said it, I'm completely a supporter of the national teams. Nations like to see their selection play. The national teams or local football of each country must have its space (competition time)," he said, as quoted by Wiw Sport.

“In Africa, we have the CAN in January. Every club that recruits African footballers therefore knows that it cannot count on them during this CAN period," he added.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will begin on January 13 and end on February 11, 2024.

Pelligrini opens up on Real Madrid spell

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini has disclosed why his tenure at Real Madrid was never going to be successful.

The Chilean manager managed the Los Blancos for one season, where he went trophyless despite having a star-studded squad.

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The 70-year-old finished second in the 2009/2010 campaign in La Liga despite getting 96 points. They lost the title to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, who beat them twice that season.

Cisse includes Sabaly in AFCON squad

Sports Brief also reported that Aliou Cisse backed his decision to include Youssouf Sabaly and three injured players in his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next month.

The former Teranga Lions captain announced his 27-man squad for the tournament on Friday, including Saudi-based stars Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.

The defending champions travel to Ivory Coast with the hopes of retaining the title they won for the first time in Cameroon last year.