The narrative following West Ham’s victory over Manchester United on Sunday mirrored that of last year’s fixture. As was the case twelve months ago when The Hammers won 3-1, the column inches post-match this week have centred on the continuing troubles at Old Trafford, rather than the team that beat them comfortably. Not that this bothers the West Ham manager, Manuel Pellegrini, though. In fact, the unassuming Chilean wouldn’t have it any other way.
Manuel Pellegrini Making Moves at West Ham
An Air of Calm
From first glance, the former Manchester City boss could be mistaken for a nutty professor of some kind, rather than a football manager. With an authoritative frown topped with a head of grey, frazzled hair, it’s a fair observation. But looks are often perceiving.
Well travelled and well versed in the day-to-day rigours of football management, the laid-back 66-year-old has enjoyed much success throughout a career spanning three decades. But it’s Pellegrini’s distinct air of calm that was most in need for a club which had lost its way.
In turmoil following the controversial move from their spiritual home of Upton Park to a modified football stadia, West Ham were a club in turmoil. But demonstrations against the board and fans invading the pitch now seem a distant memory.
Two years on from that infamous moment, West Ham are upwardly mobile and are on the right track. Instrumental in turning the tide has been the manager. But how has he done it?
Engineered for Success
Pellegrini knows how to build a team. Whether or not this comes from his degree in civil engineering, successful spells at Villareal, Malaga and Manchester City point to a knack of taking a team, rebuilding it and making it his own.
In that respect, Pellegrini can be ruthless. If players are viewed unreliable, the wrong character or deemed not good enough, he doesn’t think twice about shipping players out. Just ask the likes of Adrian, Andy Carroll, Marko Arnautovic, Lucas Perez and Samir Nasri.
His eye for a player is perhaps most impressive. Alongside trusted lieutenant Mario Husillos, technically gifted and players hungry to prove themselves have been brought in.
Issa Diop, Felipe Anderson, Pablo Fornals and Sebastian Haller represent a new breed of player that may have previously chosen to play their football elsewhere.
The bookies certainly had the Hammers in the mix for mounting an assault on the established top six along with Leicester, Everton and Wolves. A solid set of results early on has seen that price come in though, going to show how this is a team going places. To compare the odds right now make sure you check the best betting sites at BetBlazers.
Must Capitalise on Good Start
Talk to the fans about qualifying for Europe and they’ll remind you of who they support. West Ham are perennial underachievers. The last trophy of any note – the Intertoto Cup triumph of 1999 discounted – was the FA Cup win in 1980.
In other words, they’ve seen it all before. Many a false dawn have come and gone. A crisis of some description is always around the corner. The standout season of recent times saw them post a seventh-place finish. What followed was a flirt with relegation and three mid-table finishes.
Maybe, just maybe, though, this is the start of something good. For the first time in a long time, West Ham seem settled, both on and off the pitch. The manager knows his strongest 11 and there’s strength in depth too.
Many pundits have pointed to the current crop being arguably the best West Ham have had on the books in a very long time. Maybe even ever. As good an opportunity as any to learn more about online betting and to place a bet online.
Pellegrini has helped stabilise West Ham. Question is, can he be the one to take them to the next level?
Manuel Pellegrini Main Photo
