‘Costly blunder’ in Pellegrini’s four-year deal

LONDON: West Ham will have to pay Manuel Pellegrini in the region of £15 million (RM79 million) in compensation if they decide to sack him following the club’s abysmal start to the Premier League season.

West Ham have lost all four of their opening fixtures, leaving them bottom of the league and fans disgruntled at the running of the club once more.

And now it has been revealed that the club failed to insert a termination clause in Pellegrini’s contract when they recruited him from Hebei China Fortune in the summer, according to The Times.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss Pellegrini was appointed to the helm in May and signed a four-year deal worth £5 million per season, rising to £7 million with bonuses.

West Ham made the Chilean one of the highest-paid managers in the league and also backed him heavily in the transfer market.

During the summer the club forked out £35 million on Felipe Anderson, £22 million on Issa Diop and £17.5 million on Andriy Yarmolenko. They also gave Jack Wilshere a bumper contract worth £15 million over three years after he joined on a free transfer from Arsenal.

West Ham owners have a history of backing their under-performing managers and at the moment they intend on sticking with Pellegrini, although results will need to improve soon.