Green Street Hammers
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West Ham’s solid manager a rarity and luxury in Premier League

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on May 04, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on May 04, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s solid manager and team plan moving forward have the Hammers in an enviable position in the Premier League – a growing team with high ambitions, led by a proven, competent manager.

With the recent Rafa Benitez news coming out of Newcastle, West Ham’s managerial situation looks even better than it did without any context. Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment following the interim manager David Moyes was a massive coup from the Irons’ board who lured the Chilean away from his payday in China to rejoin competitive football.

Few people criticized the move from the Hammers and rightfully so. Pellegrini came with Champions League and a winning pedigree across his time at Villareal, Malaga, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.

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Since joining West Ham, Pellegrini has lured the likes of Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena, Lukasz Fabianski and now Pablo Fornals to West Ham. He’s upped the standing of the club in the eyes of potential players and stabilized the club with his veteran presence, bringing forward a new look West Ham.

In comparison, clubs like Newcastle have seen how quickly this can flip. Last season after their manager Rafa Benitez decided to stay at Newcastle, the Magpies were chirping away to the Hammers’ supporters who wanted the Spaniard to lead their team. A year later and the tables have turned. Their poisonous owner has pushed the world-class manager out of the club and has left the team wondering what’s next.

Likewise, Europa League winning manager Maurizio Sarri was forced out of Chelsea by fans and board alike. The new manager of Juventus, yes Juventus, was deemed not good enough to manage the Blues and instead they have opted for former player Frank Lampard to steer them through a possible two-year transfer ban.

Manchester United, another pillar in world football, have gone for an unproven former player to lead them next season and beyond. Marginal success after Jose Mourinho’s sacking saw Ole Gunnar Solskjær secure the job, but the Molde and Cardiff City manager understands what it’s like to play for the Reds but he is a far cry from the best managers in Europe.

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West Ham’s appointment and trust in Pellegrini has not only stabilized the club but increased the team’s standing in England and hopefully in Europe eventually. While the karma is funny for Newcastle, a once great team is being run into the ground by a disastrous owner. West Ham, on the other hand, are trending up under Pellegrini.