The Manuel Pellegrini era is now over in east London after 18 months, a lot of money spent, and nine home defeats in 12 Premier League games this season. It wasn’t just the losses, it was the nature of the losses that has ultimately costs the manager his job. It’s been 18 months, nearly £200m spent in transfer fees, breaking the club transfer record three times, and the Hammers are no better off than they were at the turn of the last decade when they also, sat in 17th place in the table heading into 2010.
Manuel Pellegrini was the first West Ham United manager to have a Premier League title on his CV, and his experience, quality and proven record of taking teams forward quickly were supposed to make the club successful. So what went wrong ??
Tactical Issues
Tactically, the manager got it wrong. He stuck with 4-2-3-1 and it didn’t work for far too long. He has stuck by expensive, out of form and under performing players for too long and it didn’t work. Maybe his methods and tactics are outdated, his way or the highway, but you need to be flexible in this game in this day in age. That is something Pellegrini is not.
Nothing to show as achievements or connect with Hammers
His disdain for the cup competitions has never helped his cause, with embarrassing exits to AFC Wimbledon last season and Oxford United this season as testament. Hammers fans crave a cup run but they never got one under his stewardship.
Negative return on investment
West Ham’s co-owners went big, appointing an expensive manager on £8m-a-year an giving him the keys to drive the bus (within reason), made a big splash by signing Issa Diop, then Felipe Anderson, then Sebastien Haller on massive deals.
