Six games into the season and West Ham United already find themselves in the lofty position of fifth in the Premier League.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have churned out a combination of good performances and results that show how far the Hammers have come since their return to the Premier League in 2012.
It has been a rollercoaster journey, seeing the Claret and Blues sat in third at Christmas in 2014-15, nearly pull off Champions League qualification in 2015-16 before dabbling with relegation both before and after.
There was always an inevitability with these seasons that a fall would follow. Pellegrini, however, has brought in a level of consistency and game management that most will be unfamiliar with.
Look at the 2014-15 season with Sam Allardyce – there were some phenomenal performances against the top teams but West Ham slid down to mid-table after the festive period.
In 2015-16, Bilic had them playing superb football and pushing the whole season. That doesn’t mean they were infallable.
West Ham had a poor record at conceding goals, they just happened to be more creative going forward to outscore the other team.
Under Manuel Pellegrini, there aren’t these topsy-turvy scorelines. You know how the team will line up and you know that their performance level will be high.
That has to be the most encouraging sign for the West Ham faithful that the manager has attempted to change the manner in which the team perform over the course of the season.
The saying “the West Ham way” was a way of justifying the dips in form, but the narrative just isn’t the same anymore. West Ham fans are back talking about the players and not the manager or the board.
The board became a real hot-point at one stage and I believe this was distracting the team’s performance. They were media hungry and would distribute some damaging press about the managers they had appointed.
In this case, they undermined every West Ham manager that has preceded Pellegrini. Even the strong-willed Sam Allardyce, Sullivan and Co. weren’t afraid to upset him to get what they wanted.
The primary difference between his predecessors and Manuel Pellegrini is his integrity as a manager and the attractiveness of appointing an experienced and talented manager.
The board appeared to treat their managers terribly because they felt they were in a strong position. With Pellegrini, that wasn’t the case.
He was a free agent and demanded stipulations, if the club wanted him. He had leverage that others didn’t.
And so, West Ham are in a position where the corporate side cannot influence the playing side because there is a man in charge that has dictated it.
He chose his players, the coaching and his right-hand man, Mario Husillos. He is in the driving seat and West Ham are flourishing because of it.
With respect, West Ham will not expect to finish top four this season. I don’t think fans would demand this either. However, there is an optimism around the playing squad.
Pellegrini has brought in players that he wants but ultimately players that fit the identity of what he wishes for West Ham.
If you told me they would be able to put out a team with Felipe Anderson, Sebastian Haller and Manuel Lanzini two years ago, I’d be more intrigued with how someone coerced the board to spend the type of money to play a team like that.
So, in my view, it is short-sighted to look at Manuel Pellegrini’s contract length as final. I understand that age isn’t on his side but let’s not forget how much progress the club has made in a year-and-a-half.
They are missing Europa League football and a trophy but it isn’t through want of trying. The playing staff has vastly improved and needs quality strength in depth to make this push.
Pellegrini should be allowed to make a run at these two markers. He is an experienced European manager and trophy winner.
West Ham haven’t had a manager of that ilk since Ron Greenwood and Jon Lyall, who won at West Ham but had no illustrious CV.
This is such a unique position for the club, the fans and the board that I would think not extending his contract is incredibly short-sighted. For what it’s worth, I think the only man to replace Manuel Pellegrini would be Eddie Howe.
I couldn’t think of a better profile of manager to take over a club with a massive stadium, loyal fan base and now, a talented playing squad. The transition from Pellegrini wouldn’t be a huge one either.
He would need more energy across the park but the spine is there for him to build from. Irrespective, I would give Pellegrini a new two-year deal at the end of this season.
Give him the budget he needs to make minor adjustments in centre midfield and upfront, and the squad is ready to win something.
This is a massive opportunity for the club who haven’t won anything significant for decades.
Add the likes of Nathan Holland and Conor Coventry, and West Ham may be winning something with their youth academy as the face of their success.
There is no greater attraction for a West Ham fan so stick with him and allow him to develop his legacy at the club.
