We assess the frontrunners to be next West Ham manager
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It’s all change at West Ham United, following David Moyes’ departure from London Stadium after just six months in charge.
Our trading team have been busy pricing up his potential replacements. And we’ve been investigating which of the current frontrunners could be the Irons’ best fit…
The East London club have had few managers with the pedigree of Pellegrini. The 64-year-old led Manchester City to Premier League glory in 2013-14. However, his time as Villarreal boss could be the strongest proof that he’d be a good fit for the club.
The Chilean helped transform the Yellow Submarine from a side struggling at the wrong end of La Liga, into Champions League semi-finalists within just five seasons. He then went on to repeat a virtually identical feat with Malaga.
While he’d be unlikely to bring a Prem title to London Stadium, but history suggests he can help revitalise an underachieving club.
As for downsides, the appointment of a boss who turns 65-years-old in a few months isn’t really a long-term solution. But he could be the key to getting West Ham back on the right track.
There’s no doubt that Fonseca has enjoyed success during the past five years.
A cup-winning boss with FC Braga, he also recorded a league and cup double as Shakhtar Donetsk gaffer in 2016-17. So that’s a positive for Hammers fans. But there are a few red flags.
The 45-year-old isn’t one to stick around long-term. He’s been in management since 2007, but is yet to stay at any club for more than two seasons. So if he were to succeed with the Hammers, he could well move on before too long.
The other issue is that he’s yet to manage in any of Europe’s ‘major’ leagues, with his only jobs so far in Portugal and Ukraine. It’s quite a step up, and would make him a bigger risk than his fellow market leaders.
The biggest issue regarding Benitez could be the battle to prise him away from Newcastle United. After all, the Spaniard is hugely popular on Tyneside. However, with owner Mike Ashley looking to sell the club, Rafa may soon be after a new gig.
He’s done a good job at St James’ Park, reinforcing his reputation as a tactically-astute boss with an eye for value in the transfer market.
Purchases like the loan capture of Kenedy and defensive signings Florian Lejeune and Javier Manquillo cement that fact. Impressive too is the way he’s helped boost the attitude and application of players he’s inherited, such as Jonjo Shelvey.
If they can get their hands on the Spaniard, he could prove to be exactly what the Hammers need.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
