Pellegrini promised money for Euro bid
WEST HAM have told Manuel Pellegrini he will have money to spend this summer to turn them into European contenders after confirming the Chilean as their new manager yesterday.
The former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss, who won the Premier League in 2014, wants to sign five players and lower the average age of a creaking West Ham side.
After talks with co- chairman David Sullivan, Pellegrini signed a three-year contract worth £7million per year including bonuses, making him the best-paid boss in the club’s history.
The 64-year-old will now get to work on transfer targets, potentially using his old City connections.
West Ham are set to ask City about taking midfield starlet Phil Foden on loan but are understood not to be interested in signing 35-year-old free agent Yaya Toure.
Pellegrini will have the final say in transfer activity and Ruben Cousillas, his right-hand man throughout his career, is set to follow him to London as assistant manager.
Speaking yesterday, Pellegrini said: ‘I am excited about this project. I hope I can repeat what I did with all my clubs in Europe, where I have always arrived in European competition.
‘West Ham have a very good team. I know all of the players and I saw most of the games they played last season, so I am sure that, with the players we have in the squad, and bringing maybe another four or five in, we will have a strong team.’
Pellegrini left the Chinese Super League after two years in charge of Hebei China Fortune to join West Ham, taking a pay-cut in the process.
‘West Ham had a difficult season last season and I hope next season we are going to play football to delight the fans. I always play attacking football and we must try to reach important targets in the season,’ said Pellegrini.
Sullivan said: ‘He is one of the world’s most respected coaches and we look forward to working with him.
‘It was important we appointed someone with knowledge and experience of the Premier League, who already has an understanding — not only of the teams and players we face, but of West Ham’s history and our ambitions going forward. Above all, he is a winner.’