West Ham hold talks with Pellegrini after dire run
Talks have taken place between West Ham United and manager Manuel Pellegrini following an alarming slump in form.
West Ham have lost five of their past seven Premier League games, with just two draws, and also crashed out of the Carabao Cup, losing 4-0 to League One Oxford United. Pellegrini is in danger of losing his job and was told that results and performances had to improve. West Ham have slumped from third in the table to 16th, just three points above the relegation places following the dispiriting defeat at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The run has dismayed the West Ham hierarchy, who want to support Pellegrini and keep him as manager – having invested heavily in the squad since he was hired in the summer of 2018 – but are understandably demanding an immediate improvement.
There is a fear that Pellegrini is not accepting the seriousness of the situation, but West Ham are desperate not to be involved in a relegation fight.
With a run of fixtures starting with Chelsea away on Saturday, followed by Wolverhampton Wanderers away, Arsenal at home and Southampton away, Pellegrini could be facing a defining period.
After those games, West Ham will not play again until their Boxing Day visit to Crystal Palace – a gap of 12 days – which would give them time to bring in a replacement if a change was needed.
It is hoped that goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will return for that fixture, having not featured since Sept 28, when he tore a hip muscle against Bournemouth.
The 34-year-old underwent surgery and there was an expectation that he would not come back until the new year, but West Ham are hopeful he will come back sooner.
In his absence, understudy Roberto has endured a torrid time and West Ham plan to sign a new goalkeeper when the January transfer window opens. The 33-year-old Spaniard, who arrived on a free transfer in the summer on a twoyear deal after his contract ended at Espanyol, is likely to be moved on.
It may also be that Roberto, who has conceded 15 goals in seven league appearances since replacing Fabianski, is dropped for Saturday’s game, with third-choice goalkeeper David Martin replacing him.