Pellegrini is latest target for Hammers

WEST HAM have focused their attentions on former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as they bid to get a new manager in place by the end of next week.

Rafa Benitez remains on the radar but with Newcastle set to dig in their heels, club owner David Sullivan is looking at other options.

The wage demands of 64-year-old Pellegrini, who won the title at the Etihad in 2014, may prove a stumbling block after representatives met the Chilean, above, on Wednesday and another candidate, Paulo Fonseca, ruled himself out by signing a two-year extension at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Sullivan remains confident of fulfilling his vow of recruiting a new manager with “a proven level of success at the highest level”.

West Ham chose to dispense with the services of David Moyes earlier this week after he had lifted them out of the relegation zone in November to 13th by the end of the season.

Relegated Swansea yesterday confirmed they would not be renewing the contract of Carlos Carvalhal after their seven-year spell in the Premier League ended.

Graham Potter is now the leading contender to be their seventh manager in just over four years with the club preparing to approach the Ostersunds boss early next week.

Potter has guided Ostersunds through the Swedish divisions and to victory this season over Arsenal in the Europa League.

The Englishman fits the bill for a Swansea team whose relegation was confirmed on the final day of the season. for the Sky Blues, who won 5-2 on aggregate. But Biamou’s crucial second goal was shown to be offside minutes after Jonathan Forte saw an equaliser wrongly ruled out by a linesman’s flag.

Jorge Grant’s goal late in the first half had given County hope.