After days of specualtion, West Ham United on Tuesday finally confirmed that former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini will be taking charge of the Hammers.
“West Ham United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as the Club’s new First Team Manager,” a club statement read.
Pellegrini, who has also managed Real Madrid in the past, won the Premier League and EFL Cup double with City in the 2013-14 season.
Your new West Ham United manager… #WelcomePellegrini pic.twitter.com/UuPWfGCZbz
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) May 22, 2018
The Hammers had a turbulent 2017-18 season, with Slaven Bilic getting the sack midway as the West Londoners flirted with relegation.
David Moyes steadied the rocking ship to guide them into a creditable 13th place finish, but the Scot wasn’t a popular figure with fans and announced he would be leaving the club last week.
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The Hammers faithful have repeatedly vented their ire at the management of the club and Pellegrini takes charge at pivotal time in the club’s history.
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Pellegrini, last in charge of Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune, has a daunting task ahead of him, but after his previous stints in Spain (he also managed Villareal and Malaga) and England, the 64-year-old Chilean is seen as the best man for the job.
A Champions League semi-finalist, Pellegrin’s task will be to establish the Hammers as a side that can compete for the European spots, not just be content with Premier League survival.
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The club also confirmed the Chilean, who won the League Cup with City twice, has signed a three-year contract.