The Chilean coach was dismissed by Madrid president Florentino Perez last night, with Jose Mourinho poised to take charge at the club once a settlement is agreed with the Portuguese's current employers Inter Milan.

Pellegrini's ousting comes just one year into his reign at Madrid, and despite the fact he led Madrid to a record points haul in finishing second to Barcelona in the Primera Division last term.

His failure to get beyond the last 16 of the Champions League was also a black mark against his record, and the 56-year-old has revealed he is leaving Spanish capital with the overriding emotion that his work is incomplete.

"I have been expecting this news for a long time," he told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

"I will always grateful to Florentino Perez [but] I could not do what I wanted. It's been a difficult season. I'm feeling that I'm only halfway there."

Pellegrini also revealed that lines of communication between his office and that of the club president had been non-existent during much of his time in the role.

"I did not speak with the president since last August," added Pellegrini, who nevertheless sidestepped the opportunity to criticise his former employer.

"I can not say anything good or bad about Florentino, because I do not know," he admitted.