New Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that David Sullivan has made him lord of all he surveys at the London Stadium.
And during his unveiling today he added he decided to become West Ham boss when Sullivan told him he wanted “a new club.”
He said “When I spoke with him he told me he wants to build a new club.
“He wants to give all the responsibility to me. He asked me also to bring a sporting director to the club, said that he will support all that I asked, and that’s the way we are working now.”
Pellegrini found the director of football, Mario Husillos from Málaga, and claimed the Hammers board have proved their ambition by signing Felipe Anderson in a deal worth up to £42.5m.
He said: “That demonstrates that David Sullivan wants to build a strong team. Maybe some years ago or last season the supporters were always complaining about the money spent, but when he convinced me to come here one of the reasons was that he told me he was going to bring good players.”
He is aware of last season’s protests saying: “I knew what happened with the Burnley game but fortunately for me I have never been afraid of anything in my life. I am sure that the fans will support the club because they are seeing that something is changing inside.”
“We are trying to do a different thing with him so he can be comfortable. And not to try to play every game because he must work in a different way.
“Undoubtedly he has had a lot of injuries in the past but the season he played on loan for Bournemouth he played a lot of games. Last season he didn’t have too many injuries. At the moment he is working well.”
Exciting times. Am in wonderment.
Saw a lot of this coming at first hearing of Pelegrini interest & the GBP10m from Tripp.
But am still unsure about 2 things. Tripp & Hugill.
Tripp investment I saw as a sign of intent as part of an agend, Which may come to light at the end of either of the next 2 seasons.
But Hugill I am confounded.
Believe Pelegrini has been on the scene since the China end of season back in the winter, having been tapped up at the end of our 2017 season. Bilic was always on his way out from end of 2017 season. Is why our signings 2017 & Jan 2018 had been frugal, & that players were so quickly signed early in this window. They had been scouted (by Pelegrini) way before the end of 2018 season.
But Hugill ? My only thought is that Moyes was told to get an affordable Championship striker as back up in case of injuries. We were light, especially with Moyes not wanting to use Chicharito, Arnautovic was our only real central option at the time. Moyes ran Antonio into the ground, quite literally. Moyes probably had a pretty good idea of his short-term status, & saw it as an opportunity to do an old mate at Preston a favour, albeit at the expense of Hugill, Feel Hugill was a pawn. Feel sorry for the lad.
China changed their foreigner team quota rules literally days after Pelegrini had joined Hebei, which made it almost impossible for Hebei to fulfil their commitments to him, giving him an easy route of exit. In steps Sullivan.
Have been anti-board. But with the recent signings etc, & an agenda having been in place prior to Burnley, wonder how ‘wrongly’ abused Sullivan & Co must have felt at the time, with the need to remain tight lipped. Don’t believe Burnley is in any way responsible for signing Pelegrini & all the other recent developments. Don’t think it was Moyes kept us up. Think the team took it into their own hands for the last few games..
Like most I am looking forward to 2018/19.
I think Sean W may have answered the Tripp question in previous posts Guy I don’t think there is any significant interest, with Usmanov trying to sell his shares in Arsenal will be interesting to see his next move, rumours were he was unofficially putting money into Everton but perhaps West Ham might seem like a good route to the next level ? As for Huggill he is a very enthusiastic character which can be infectious and with Carroll out until at least Christmas perhaps Pelle has thoughts that in a few games he can cause some mayhem in opposition boxes or maybe even for the cup games he could prove useful ?
Thanks yr reply. Re Tripp. Saw his response, but is unusual to make an interest free loan as it was termed at the time, only subject to repayment on change of ownership of the club. Yep hope things work out well for Hugill.
I always always thought Mr.P was a class act at citeh and since he’s taken the reins with us he’s done nothing but enhance those thoughts.
I’d like to believe that this clear declaration of owning the responsibility for running all team matters will end the endless claims of board interference but I doubt it. So Hugh feel free to republish these quotes any time an unfounded accusation is thrown out there.
Was watching a video earlier on KUMB from the press interview, anyone else think Pelle has a bit of the Billy Bonds about him, in appearance and also his unfussy down to earth way ?
Now if he could only PLAY like him 😀😀