They could challenge but it's a big if...Not so much because there aren't resources available now for Malaga but
if it's sustained...They said the same thing last season when the Desi Chicken King took over Racing - we've seen precious little change so far...Some rich barons turn the clubs into merely a club for turning a profit ala the Pozzo family - not
really concerned with sporting success
I like the early signs for Malaga under Pellegrini who I like as a manager...They're quietly putting together a competitive side but will need to make wholesale changes from the top to the bottom - including the youth system...While Rosaleda is a nice facility, it is small in comparison to sporting clubs that turn profits from gate receipts
There's a lot of work to do for the Qataris but perhaps they've learned a little seeing how the Emirate group have progressed with Man City...Early signs are positive but I'm not sure how they'll be able to sustain it without a constant infusion of cash from the Qataris
They already were turning a corner under Pellegrini with Baptista, Caballero, Seba, Apoño, Rondon, Duda, Eliseu & Juanmi
Now, they've brought in Ruud, Jérémy Toulalan, Mathijsen, Nacho Monreal, Diego Buonanotte, Sergio Sánchez – and only recently Joaquín, who joins from Valencia....That's a very credible side now that can easily challenge for a CL spot
From a sporting perspective, the Sheik's right hand man, Abdullah Ghubn, told reporters earlier in the season that
'buying big-name stars would be contrary to Malaga's philosophy. We want to create our own stars from the youth system and make the fans identify with guys they've seen come through the ranks.'
And the owners do seem to have a good sporting sense, particularly when the club was teetering on relegation after the New Year...Ghubn flew in from Qatar to resist calls for Pellegrini's sacking...He told reporters:
"We, the owners, are responsible -- not the coach or the players. If anyone should be blamed it is me. Technically and in personality, Pellegrini is a great coach and the right man for this club. We will keep him, we will stabilize the situation and we will try to convince the fans to be our most important player."
That's impressive, I have to say...Especially when you consider that they turned things around then and now have better reinforcements going ahead