Daily WHUFC News - 21st May 2018

Academy Manager Westley reflects on 'terrific campaign'
WHUFC.com

Academy Manager Terry Westley reflects on a terrific 2017/18 season for everyone associated with the Academy of Football...

The close-season is a chance for everyone to look back on what has been a terrific Academy campaign, on and off the pitch. First of all, I'd like to offer my congratulations to the two Academy award-winners from our annual Player Awards evening two-and-a-half weeks ago; well done to Declan Rice, who was named Young Hammer of the Year for the second successive season and Conor Coventry, who picked up the Dylan Tombides Award As we review 2017/18, we must start with our most senior team – the U23s – who finished in the top half of Premier League 2 Division 1. This is a fantastic achievement, given last season, the side won promotion from the league below via the play-offs. To not only compete, but finish fifth, in their maiden term at this level is brilliant. An U21 side also competed in the Checkatrade Trophy for us, the second time we have been involved in the competition. Once again, we found all our fixtures against senior Football League outfits extremely valuable for the development of our young players. To reach the knockout rounds, along with only three other Academy sides, is a success to be celebrated.

In the second half of the season particularly, we've seen a number of players go out on loan, with many impressing and showing how valuable their time at the Academy of Football has been as they experience first team football week-in, week-out. Reece Burke, Moses Makasi, Reece Oxford, Martin Samuelsen and Toni Martinez all became important players at their loan clubs and have been a credit to West Ham United.

Staying with senior football but instead looking at our own first team, Declan is the obvious success to come out of the Academy this term, with the 19-year-old making 31 first-team appearances this past season. The defender has become an important player in the first-team squad, showing his quality and versatility throughout the season, acting as a model professional at all times. Our captain at U23 level last year, Dec has made everybody at Chadwell Heath proud with his achievements, and we hope more are to come in the future. There were also first-team debuts for Nathan Holland, Sead Haksabanovic and Toni Martinez, who joined Mark Noble, Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford, Reece Burke and Domingos Quina as Academy graduates or players who have turned out for the first team this term, while many others were included in matchday squads.

Internationally, over 30 Academy players across all age-groups were called-up by national teams, including many of the already mentioned names, with Declan also winning his first senior Republic of Ireland cap. The Academy has a wider role to play than just the progression of our young players, however. Over the year, many of our staff have earned their own qualifications and badges, furthering their knowledge of the game; a huge positive in the Club's future. The redevelopment of the Academy's Chadwell Heath site will also massively benefit us in the long-run, and we thank the Board for their continued support on this project and throughout the season. The success of the inaugural Official Coaching Association scheme and the continued mentoring of our young players by the likes of Matt Upson and Paul Konchesky are also worth mentioning.

But at this point, I'd like to thank every supporter for their support of the Academy this season, and wish everyone a fantastic summer.

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Seven is heaven for Ladies in season finale
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies ensured their campaign ended in style on Sunday as they were 7-1 winners over London rivals Queens Park Rangers at Rush Green.
Goals from captain Rosie Kmita, teenage forward Kelly Wealthall, left-back Jasmine Auguste, a hat-trick from Player of the Year Ellie Zoepfl and a penalty from Rebecca Dunning secured the victory over the west Londoners, which saw the Hammers leapfrog above Chichester Ladies into seventh place in the FA Women's Premier League. The hosts – cheered on by a 1,333–strong crowd – were on the front foot from the first whistle and went close after three minutes when midfielder Molly Clark lashed an attempt just over. On 12 minutes, Wealthall had her first effort on goal, though it was turned away by a defender, while Kmita volleyed over at the back post in the same move. Just before the half hour mark, Karen Ray's side thought the lead must have been coming but striker Zoepfl's centred cut-back was just behind the onrushing Wealthall. But it was 1-0 on exactly 30 minutes. Kmita, picking the ball up in a wide right position, cut-back onto her stronger left foot and whipped the ball past Dolbear in the QPR goal to put the Hammers in front. And that lead was doubled just before the half time whistle, as Wealthall broke forward from a Kmita pass, only to hit the post before scoring as the ball rebounded kindly back to her.

Early in the second period, defender Chenise Austin rose highest in the penalty area from a corner kick but saw her effort turned away on the goalline, while Zoepfl suffered similar hard luck from the resulting set piece. The American had an even better opportunity to grab a third on 58 minutes, but despite hitting the target from six yards as the Hammers broke, Dolbear was on hand to keep it out. However, a five-minute flurry saw QPR go from having slim hopes of getting back into the game to none at all as the Hammers raced into a five-goal lead. First, August got herself on the scoresheet. The left-back raced down the flank and got to the byline, crossing deep towards the far post. The ball instead, however, drifted over the keeper's head and into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0 to the Hammers. Zoepfl – the Ladies' Player of the Season – was next to get in on the action. Played in down the right, the American closed down on Dolbear before calmly slotting past the keeper into the far corner with ease. Moments after, again the No4 found herself in the box, and taking it round the keeper, she could barely miss as Ray's side raced into a five-goal lead. With just over 15 minutes of play for the Ladies' campaign remaining, Zoepfl capped a dominant performance by bagging her hat-trick goal. Auguste, already on the scoresheet, was again heavily, seeing the keeper deny her powerful attempt before Zoepfl reacted quickest in the six-yard-box to nod in a sixth. With around five minutes remaining at Rush Green, Helen Ogle grabbed a consolation strike for the Hoops, turning past Staunton after a mistake from Hannah Wheeler. But there was time for one final celebration of the season as Rebecca Dunning, on as a substitute, smashed into the net from the penalty spot after Dayna Chong had been fouled in the box. 7-1 for West Ham, and seventh spot in the FA Women's Premier League confirmed.

West Ham United: Staunton, Mackie, Wheeler, Sampson, Austin (Dunning 80), Auguste, Clark, Mabey (Burr 80), Zoepfl, Wealthall (Chong 69), Kmita
QPR: Dolbear, Glynn, Hennessey, Anes, Chimbima, Peacock, Ogle, Bytyqi, Lawrence, Maggs, Petit

Subs not used: Lynch, Hogan, Knell

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Collison happy to be part of 'exciting' Academy of Football project
WHUFC.com

Jack Collison is enjoying his football again. The former West Ham United and Wales midfielder went through tough times before and after a knee injury forced him to hang up his boots at the age of 27. After a spell coaching at boyhood club Peterborough United, where Matty Etherington has this week taken over Collison's old role with the U18 side, the Academy of Football graduate returned to east London last July. Since then, the popular Collison has impressed as lead coach of West Ham's U14 and U16 teams, imparting his considerable experience and wisdom on the next generation of Hammers hopefuls.
Nine months into his coaching career at Chadwell Heath, the 29-year-old walks onto the training pitch every morning with a smile on his face, and reflects positively on his first season coaching at the Academy of Football, and is looking forward to recharging his batteries before embarking on his second campaign in July. "On a personal note, I've had a thoroughly enjoyable first year with the West Ham Academy," he said. "Working with all the age groups, I've had a real eye-opening experience into the Club's youth set-up and I've been so impressed with the level of ability and the long-term plan for the Academy. "It's an exciting project that that I'm proud to be part of, and I hope I can help it continue to improve year-on-year."

Collison cares deeply for his players, who are juggling the demands of their school work with those of becoming the skills to play in the Premier League in Claret and Blue. For that reason, their coach has encouraged them to rest and recharge over the summer break before returning fresh and focused for pre-season training. "I don't believe the importance of the upcoming off-season can be understated. It's a chance for the boys to completely switch off for a couple of weeks, which I think is the most essential thing for our lads to do. "The daily grind of life in football can really take its toll on a young person, both mentally and physically, with players always having to think about the game. Even on days off, they have to be considering their recovery or their next match. "For example, the U16s are in training four days a week, they play their games on weekends, and sometimes they have to stay longer at school because we need them for training during the day. It's a tough programme so this summer will give them an opportunity to rest, enjoy a little break, catch up with family, and generally unwind. "You tend to find, within a couple of weeks, that players will start getting itchy feet and a lot of them will be looking to get back to doing what they love – playing football. Lots of them will be working hard this summer to ensure they come back for pre-season in the best possible shape."

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James Collins: West Ham defender set to leave club
BBC.co.uk

Former Wales defender James Collins is set to leave West Ham after 10 years and two spells at the club. The 34-year-old, whose contract ends next month, has not been offered a new deal. A final decision on his future will be made by the next manager, after the Premier League club opted to part company with David Moyes.
It is understood West Ham co-owner David Sullivan spoke to Collins before an email was sent to the player. Collins, affectionately known as the 'Ginger Pele', is a cult figure with Hammers fans. He is the club's longest-serving player behind captain Mark Noble, with 217 appearances. Former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, 64, is set for talks with West Ham about the vacant managerial position.

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Brady has 'sold the club down the river'
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

Karren Brady has been heavily criticised by a Sky Sports panel - who accused the vice chairman of "selling the club down the river". Journalist Henry Winter, whose 2008 testimony was considered key in the decision to award damages in favour of Sheffield Utd during the Tevez affair attacked Brady and her fellow Boards members on this morning's Sunday Supplement. "I don't think it helps the club when you have three three main individuals at the club talking all the time," he said. "Certainly two of them talking all the time - one in a set piece situation and Sullivan with his various interviews, or whatever. "I think that's not good for the manager - whoever it is."
And Winter's criticisms were supported by fellow scribe Oliver Holt, who claimed that vice chair Brady had "destroyed" West Ham United's loyal fan base by moving the club to Stratford with little thought for the consequences. "She writes a newspaper column that occasionally scuppers transfers in and out," said Holt. "But my problem with her is that she thought she'd got the deal of the century - as she called it - by moving to a stadium which had robbed West Ham of its character, destroyed the fan base and destroyed the atmosphere. "She thought she was getting a deal on the cheap and she's ended up selling the club down the river."
However Brady was defended by Sun journalist Sean Custis, whose newspaper publishes her controversial and heavily-criticised weekly column. When asked whether he felt Brady was "part of the problem" at West Ham, a tetchy Custis snapped: "What do you mean, part of the problem? "It's a newspaper column that more than occasionally says it how it is. What's wrong with that? She engages with football people about what is happening in football. Surely that's an interesting aspect?"

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The philosophy of Pellegrini
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's manager-in-waiting says he expects his his staff to meet three key criteria. Manuel Pellegrini, who resigned from his post with China Super League side Hebei Fortune yesterday is expected to fly to London within the next 48 hours in order to ratify his move to West Ham. And in the following video from the Coaches' Voice channel, the 64-year-old Chilean outlines his three key tenets as manager - which are as follows:

1. Respect - for fellow players, staff, supporters, media etc.
2. Commitment - to the managers plans
3. Performance - full commitment

"Usually the first few days I'm with the players I tell them how I work with a group," explains Pellegrini. "Not just on the pitch but off the pitch too. I understand players who aren't playing can't be happy but my demands of them must be exactly the same."

And in the following short, Pellegrini explains how he got the better of West Ham United's last manager - David Moyes - when the two went head-to-head in a 2013 Manchester derby, won 4-1 by Pellegrini's City side. "The system is not really important," he says. "What is important for me as a manager is my idea about football - and not compromising it just because you have a high-quality opponent. "Of course you have to take your opponent into account as far as the main characteristics of the game are concerned, but if you consider what the opponent does as a priority over your own system then you'd be changing the team week in, week out."

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Collins deal on hold
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

James Collins has been told that club's new manager will determine whether he is to be granted a contract extension. It was claimed earlier this week that the 34-year-old defender had been informed via email that he would not be granted a new contract. And whilst that particular story turned out to be wide of the mark, it is the case that Collins is yet to be offered new terms, despite his existing contract being set to expire in a matter of weeks.
Instead, the club have chosen to defer the decision until a new manager is appointed - with the final decision to be left to the new man. Collins, who is the club's second-longest serving player first signed for West Ham in July 2005 as part of a £3.5million double-swoop that also saw fellow Cardiff defender Danny Gabbidon arrive at the club. Four years later he joined Aston Villa in a deal worth £5million as West Ham's crippling financial situation necessitated the sale of several frist team squad members. However he was on his way back to east London in the summer of 2012 in a deal worth around £2million - and has remained at West Ham ever since.

James Collins: Stat Zone

West Ham United (first spell)

2005/06: Pld 19, Bkd 1, Gls 2.
2006/07: Pld 17, Bkd 4, Gls 0.
2007/08: Pld 5, Bkd 0, Gls 0.
2008/09: Pld 21, Bkd 4, Gls 0.
2009/10: Pld 3, Bkd 1, Gls 0.

Aston Villa

2009/10: Pld 37, Bkd 6, Gls 2.
2010/11: Pld 37, Bkd 7, Gls 3.
2011/12: Pld 34, Bkd 7, Gls 1.

West Ham United (second spell)

2012/13: Pld 32, S/Off 1, Bkd 9, Gls 2.
2013/14: Pld 29, Bkd 6, Gls 2.
2014/15: Pld 30, S/Off 1, Bkd 6, Gls 1.
2015/16: Pld 29, S/Off 2, Bkd 5.
2016/17: Pld 25, Bkd 4, Gls 2.
2017/18: Pld 16, Bkd 3, Gls 1.

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Sunday Supplement: Watch journalists' fiery debate on West Ham owners
Last Updated: 20/05/18 3:20pm
SSN

Henry Winter, Oliver Holt and Shaun Custis debate whether or not West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady is right to have a column in Custis' newspaper, The Sun.
Sparks were flying in the Sunday Supplement studio as journalists Henry Winter, Shaun Custis and Oliver Holt discussed the current situation at West Ham.

The Hammers are close to agreeing a deal with Manuel Pellegrini to become their new manager, according to Sky sources, which triggered a debate about the current hierarchy, which includes Karren Brady, David Sullivan and David Gold.

West Ham vice-chairman Brady writes a column for Custis' newspaper, The Sun, but while he defended her right to "say it how it is," Winter claimed all football owners should be "seen and not heard".

Watch a classic Sunday Supplement exchange in the video at the top of the page and read the transcript below.....

Winter: There are two problems with West Ham - they have got a charmless, dreadful board - one of them thinks he can pick the squad. And, they've got a completely soulless stadium. Those supporters are fantastic if they feel they are being served up decent football - there aren't many plusses. They should not be playing in that ground - it is the complete antithesis of Upton Park. They should have knocked it down and started again. Daniel Levy was right - they should have knocked it down, but the Olympic board got involved.

Shaun, what about your columnist? Karren Brady. Is she part of the problem or part of the solution?

Custis: What do you mean, part of the problem?

Winter: She's on the board - she's driving this through.

Custis: She more than occasionally says it how it is. I've seen journalists say, 'how dare Karren Brady write this in a newspaper - she should have done it on the official website'. Why? What is wrong?

Winter: Does it help the club? Do the fans like it?

Custis: She engages with football people about what is happening in football. Surely that's an interesting aspect?

Winter: So, it's nothing to do with self-promotion?

Custis: You have a big problem with it? Ollie, you're advocating people at football clubs shouldn't be doing things in a newspaper.

Holt: Don't start having a go at me!

Custis: It's alright for Jordan Henderson to sit down with you and talk however he wants to talk, but it's not alright for the vice-chairman at West Ham?

Holt: My problem with Karren Brady has got nothing to do with her column in your paper. My problem with Karren Brady is regarding what Henry said about the board. My problem with her is that she thought she got the deal of the century by moving to a stadium that has robbed West Ham of its character and destroyed the fan-base. She thought she was getting a deal on the cheap and she's ended up selling the club down the river.

Custis: But she is allowed to have her point of view - she thinks she didn't sell the club down the river. It wasn't solely her decision either. She had Gold and Sullivan on board with it.

Holt: Are you her mouthpiece, Shaun? You're her mouthpiece, Shaun.

Winter: Board members should be seen and not heard.

Custis: You were happy to see Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere talk on social media - but you're not happy to see Karren Brady say what she wants to say. She's entitled to say what she wants to say.

Winter: I don't think it helps the club when you have three main individuals at the club talking all the time. One in a set-piece situation and Sullivan with his various interviews. I think that is not good for the manager - whoever that is.

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West Ham signing Ahmed Hegazi for £2.5m would be superb deal
HITC
Jordan Harris

West Ham United are reportedly amongst the sides keen to hand Ahmed Hegazi a swift return to the Premier League. While West Brom ensured that they went down with some momentum ahead of their relegation to the Championship, it was undoubtedly a very bleak season until Darren Moore's appointment as interim head coach. However, one player arguably managed to look impressive for much of the campaign. Ahmed Hegazi was fairly consistent throughout the season. Signed initially on loan, the Egyptian was snapped up permanently before the January window began and continued to often be a shining light in a Baggies side that gave the fans little to smile about. The Sun's goals section (19/05; page 7) recently reported that both West Ham and Leicester are now keen on signing the centre-back, and will be able to do a deal for just £2.5 million due to a relegation release clause. For the Hammers, it is arguably a fantastic opportunity for the club to land a very talented defender for a fraction of the fee that a player of his calibre would normally cost. Hegazi should not be the most exciting addition the Irons make this summer. But he may well prove to be one of the shrewdest signings the Hammers secure if they manage to see off the challenge from the Foxes or any other side that decides to join the race. The 27-year-old was an ever-present in the Premier League for West Brom despite having a very concerning injury record when he was with Fiorentina earlier in his career, and his style of no-nonsense defending made him a hugely important member in the side - and it could make him an extremely popular player at the London Stadium if he moves. No team let in more league goals than West Ham this term, so adding to the defensive options has to be a priority when the new manager arrives. But with other areas of the squad also needing serious addressing, finding some bargains has to be a target also. In Hegazi's case, the £2.5 million release clause means that there is the potential for West Ham to land the kind of bargain that proves to be a masterstroke
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Manuel Pellegrini arrives at West Ham for manager role talks
March 17, 2018
Jason Burt, chief football correspondent
20 MAY 2018 • 7:09PM
Telegraph

West Ham United are confident of naming Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager this week. The 64-year-old Chilean has travelled to London for talks, having informed Hebei China Fortune, his current club, that he is leaving. The Chinese club then announced Pellegrini's departure, ­expressing their "sincere gratitude" for his contribution. There was a delay last week while West Ham struggled to speak to Pellegrini, but negotiations are now under way.

It is likely Pellegrini will be offered a three-year deal at West Ham following the decision not to retain David Moyes, who left last week ­after his short-term deal at the club expired. West Ham held talks with Paulo Fonseca, after he flew to London to meet co-owner ­David Sullivan, but the Portuguese then signed a new, ­enhanced two-year deal with Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk. Depending on which version of events is to be believed, Fonseca either had misgivings about taking the job or the club deemed him too big a risk given the other candidates he was up against, including Pellegrini, who had previously worked in the Premier League. What was interesting was that Fonseca's agent, Jorge Mendes, also travelled for the talks, suggesting that a deal was on the table.

West Ham were always intent on speaking to other candidates and Pellegrini, who spent three years at Manchester City, winning the Premier League and taking them to the semi-finals of the Champions League, has always been a coach they admired. Pellegrini has won league titles in four different countries and has previously been in charge of Real Madrid, Villarreal and Malaga.

West Ham also explored the possibility of hiring Rafael Benitez from Newcastle United, with the Spaniard having come close to joining the club before Slaven Bilic was appointed in June 2015. Indeed, Benitez had agreed to take over until Real Madrid came in for him. It is understood Newcastle would expect £6 million in compensation to release Benitez from his contract, while he would want to bring a large backroom staff with him, making the deal expensive.

West Ham have insisted they had a four-strong shortlist of managers to succeed Moyes, with all of them having won trophies and of the highest calibre. It is understood that list was Pellegrini, Benitez, Fonseca and Claudio Ranieri, who has left French club Nantes. It had been possible that West Ham might hire Ranieri and reunite him with Steve Walsh – who he worked with at Leicester City – as chief scout. Walsh has been replaced by Marcel Brands as director of football at Everton.

If Pellegrini is appointed it would appear to raise the likelihood of West Ham signing Yaya Toure, who is a free agent, having been released by City at the end of his contract. The 35-year-old held talks with West Ham previously, when his wage demands were prohibitive, but now a deal may be more manageable, especially given his good relationship with Pellegrini.

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Ginge Was NOT Told He Was To Leave By E-Mail By West Ham
Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 20/05/2018 - 12:51
WestHamFans.org

Contrary to earlier reports by the 'let's give West Ham a kicking' media with an agenda, James Collins was not told that his services were no longer required with a 'cold' e-mail, far from it. The e-mail in queston was sent as a matter of legal requirement from the club's H R department and was necessary in order to comply with various insurance policies in place, something that is in common with all Premier League clubs.

Far from 'getting rid' of 'The Ginger Pele', the club have put any further decision as to what happens with 34 year old James Collins until the new manager is in place! It may well be that Collins does move on, but every avenue of retaining his services is being explored includig a possible coaching role albeit on vastly reduced wages. Of course the incoming manager might well have their own opinions, it isn't as if the club is overflowing with central defenders so perhaps a one year contract extension would be in order, if only as cover.

As that well known benevolent group of people, the Bookies, have ceased to accept any more bets with regards to the impending arrival of Manuel Pellegrini, it is safe to asume that the Chilean will be takingover from David Moyes. In the fulnesss of time the details will emerge as to exactly what went on behind the scenes between Moyes and particularly David Sullivan, it appears that Moyes misjudged the water and assumed, incorrectly as it transpires, that he had done enough to warrant a new contract, however it seems that the demands made by Moyes were too much for Sullivan. The strength of Moyes' hand in the discussions was based on the assumption that Sullivan shared co-owner David Gold's desire to retain the 54 year old Scot, when he realised that the co-owners were not seeing eye to eye about a new contract he realised his time was up, hence the recent derogatory comments attributedn to Moyes made on social media.

Ironically the first thing Manuel Pellegrini will do after signing his purported three year contract will be to go on holiday for a couple of weeks! - Ed

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PELLEGRINI: APPOINT 'THIS CHARMING MAN' OR A CASE OF SULLIVAN'S 'BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN'?
By Dan Coker 20 May 2018 at 09:00
WTID

On Wednesday morning my article requesting West Ham United end the unprofessionalism and appoint David Moyes as manager was published. Four hours and 39 minutes later, the club issued a statement confirming Moyes' departure from the club!

It appears as though this was Moyes' decision rather than the board's. The Scot had seemingly had enough of the lack of appetite within the club to rid it of the media leaks, culminating in Sullivan's hardly-secret meeting with Paulo Fonseca early last week. David Gold went public on Tuesday, saying he wanted Moyes to stay – perhaps he should have a meeting with his Joint-Chairman (y'know, communicate..!) and discuss exactly what it is they want from the club's present and future. It is highly concerning when the two men at the top of the club are not singing from the same hymn sheet.

And so, for the second time in six months, we are contemplating the possibilities of a new manager – hardly the West Ham Way. The new appointment will be the sixth permanent boss to work under Sullivan and Gold since they bought the club eight years ago. After the initial club statement vowed "The Club will be making no further comment until a new managerial appointment is confirmed", supporters were 'treated' to an update just 28 hours later which promised a "high-calibre" manager with "a proven record of success at the highest level of the game". Why Sullivan felt we needed to know this before an appointment is made is beyond me – he must learn that actions count, not words. Incidentally, well done to those who picked up The Smiths references in this piece's headline!

My personal choice of those mentioned would be Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean took Villarreal from eighth place before he arrived at the Estadio de la Ceramica to third place in 2004/05. He finished seventh and fifth in the following campaigns before recording a second-place finish in 2007/08, finishing above Barcelona. The club finished fifth in Pellegrini's final season with them, in 2008/09. Pellegrini also took Villarreal to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2005 and the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2006, where they were defeated by Arsenal. The Gunners would again defeat Pellegrini's side in the quarter-finals of the 2008/09 Champions League.

Pellegrini joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, with president Florentino Perez signing (among others) Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso. The club were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 and finished second in La Liga. Pellegrini, in words that should echo in the ears of David Sullivan, said of his time at the Bernabeu:

"I didn't have a voice or a vote at Madrid. They sign the best players, but not the best players needed in a certain position. It's no good having an orchestra with the ten best guitarists if I don't have a pianist. Real Madrid have the best guitarists, but if I ask them to play the piano they won't be able to do it so well. He [Pérez] sold players that I considered important. We didn't win the Champions League because we didn't have a squad properly structured to be able to win it."

As an aside, herein lies the rub. If West Ham are going to appoint a manager of Pellegrini's ilk, they are going to have to up their game in terms of professionalism throughout the club and they are going to have to provide significantly greater funds over time to allow him to be a success, as well as allowing Pellegrini and his management/recruitment team to have control over who comes in and who goes out.

Upon departing Madrid, Pellegrini moved to Malaga in November 2010, the club having just finished 17th in 2009/10. Under the new ownership of Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani and the management of Pellegrini, the club finished 11th and moved up to fourth in his first full season. Pellegrini took Malaga to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2012/13 and finished sixth in La Liga. He left the club with mounting financial problems and excluded from Europe due to Financial Fair Play rules.

Many West Ham United supporters will remember Pellegrini for his time at Manchester City, particularly their 9-0 aggregate win over Sam Allardyce's side in the 2013/14 League Cup semi-finals. The Hammers did beat Pellegrini's champions 2-1 at Upton Park in October 2014 though, with Slaven Bilic's Irons recording a 2-1 win at the Etihad the following season. Pellegrini won the Premier League title and two League Cups at City before departing two seasons ago, with Joe Hart a key figure in his success in Manchester. He has been manager of Hebei China Fortune since August 2016, leaving the club yesterday. He finished fourth in 2017 and leaves the club, including former Hammer Javier Mascherano, in eighth position.

I would not be disappointed if Rafa Benitez were to rock up at the London Stadium but I really don't see Sullivan paying the £6m release fee. Personally, I don't see why a board of directors would be happy to pay £20m for Andre Ayew and £10m for Robert Snodgrass but baulk at £6m for a manager – then again, this is the same board of directors who have not paid a permanent transfer fee for a first-choice goalkeeper since they took over the club (Stephen Henderson being the only custodian who has cost the club a fee in that time). Reports this morning suggest that Zenit St Petersburg could move for Benitez as a replacement for Roberto Mancini. My preference is for Pellegrini as he's known for more attacking football. In addition, Benitez oversaw three different sets of four league defeats in a row last season, something neither Slaven Bilic nor David Moyes experienced during 2017/18.

As for Marco Silva, I think he has his head too easily turned which, at a time when we are craving stability, rules him out for me. After hoping on Wednesday morning that the club would show a desire to end its unprofessionalism and appoint Moyes, I now hope that the new incumbent is appointed swiftly so we can begin planning for next season and beyond. If it is Pellegrini or Benitez, their vast experience will hopefully put an end to West Ham being run as a "basket-case club", as I read in one publication yesterday. It's going to be an interesting week…

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