Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini says he will leave the Spanish club at the end of the season despite having two years left on his contract.

The 59-year-old Pellegrini says he is leaving because of “sporting reasons.” The Chilean has been linked to the Manchester City post made vacant when Roberto Mancini was fired last week.

Pellegrini said Wednesday that “everyone has the right and obligation to follow their chosen path, and Malaga must do the same. The club requires a realistic project next season. Malaga had a past without Manuel Pellegrini, and will also have a future without Manuel Pellegrini.”