West Ham have made former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini their plan B as their search for a new manager continues, reports the Mirror.
The Hammers have held positive talks with the Chilean, with some reports in Chile going as far as to say he will be announced as manager next week.
Co-chairmen David Sullivan promised a high-profile appointment would be made, and Pellegrini would certainly be that.
He led Manchester City to the title during his three-year reign as manager, becoming the first boss not from Europe to win the Premier League. He also won two League Cups during his tenure.
The main stumbling block in bringing Pellegrini to the London Stadium is wages. The 64-year-old is currently in charge of Chinese Super League team Hebei China Fortune, and the money he earns will be hard for West Ham to match with the riches of Chinese football.
The Iron’s preferred choice is Newcastle United’s manager Rafa Benitez, but that may also prove tough as he is keen to stay with the Toon.
