CONFIRMED: Manuel Pellegrini is the new West Ham United manager

The wait for a new West Ham manager is over as the official club website has confirmed what we have known for awhile now, Manuel Pellegrini is coming to West Ham!

This is a major coup, the new manager brings a respected brand of attacking football and impressive honours, including a Premier League title with Manchester City. The former Real Madrid and Málaga boss looks set to become the highest paid manager in West Ham’s history. Pellegrini, 64, has been a target since David Moyes left the club.

A statement from joint-Chairman David Sullivan reads:

“I am delighted to welcome Manuel Pellegrini to West Ham United. He is one of the world’s most respected football coaches and we look forward to working with him.

“It was important that we appointed someone with knowledge and experience of the Premier League, who already has an understanding – not only of the teams and players we face – but of West Ham United and our ambitions.

“Manuel brings a reputation for attacking football and getting the best out of his players. We believe he will attract new talent to the London Stadium as well as improving the current squad.”

“Above all, he is a winner, who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and is driven to continue that success. Manuel is the first West Ham United manager to have a Premier League title on his CV, and we believe that his experience, quality and proven record of taking teams forward quickly will ensure that he is successful here.

“We have listened to fans who asked us to be ambitious. We hope they agree it is an exciting appointment.

“Manuel will shortly announce the names of the new staff he will bring in and he will then get down to shaping the squad he wants. We all wish him the very best of luck.”

Read more from Jack Kavanagh at Culture Hash