Pablo Zabaleta has big history with Manuel Pellegrini and has made it clear he is a long way from being a ‘respect the point’ man.
Zaba, of course knows him well from Manchester City days, but the pair go back some distance before that – indeed to the right back’s teenage years.
Commenting on his arrival the veteran defender said: “Manuel Pellegrini is a very successful manager with great football experience, not just in England but in many different leagues.
“When I was a teenager with the San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, I was in the second team and he was the first-team manager.
“He did well when we were at San Lorenzo. He had success there, he built a good team, won the Primera Division title and set some records.
“After he left San Lorenzo he went to River Plate and won another Primera Division title. He was always keen on youth development, too, bringing through good young players who went on to do very well.
“He went to Spain with Villarreal and did a great job, taking them to the Champions League semi-finals. I played against his teams many times when I was with Espanyol and they were always very tough opponents.
“He did well at Real Madrid and Malaga, then he came to Manchester City, where we worked together for three seasons and won the Premier League title and some other big competitions.
“He’s a very quiet person, but he is also very determined and very strong in his belief about how football should be played.
He likes to play good, attractive football, and he plays to win, which the fans of all the clubs he has managed have always enjoyed.
“He has always been a good manager and I am sure he will show that again with West Ham. I welcome him to the Club and wish him good luck.”
