Pressure mounts on West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini amid ‘horrible’ form

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is still under huge pressure and his job is said to be on the line as his team have been unable to live up to the expectations especially considering their signings in the summer transfer window.

The Hammers brought in Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals in the summer for a combined fee of £60m following their superb campaigns in the Bundesliga and La Liga respectively.

The two signings alongside the return of Manuel Lanzini who was injured was meant to lift West Ham into the contention for a Europa League place.

However, they sit in 16th place in the league under a manager who has won the Premier League and are just a point off the relegation zone.

Pellegrini’s side have only scored 18 goals in 16 appearances as the Argentinian manager has failed to find a correct balance with his line-up and has been unable to get the best out of his new signings.

A 3-1 loss to a struggling Arsenal side on the weekend mounted even further pressure as rumours of a sacking loom.

The loss at home to the Gunners continues the Hammers’ poor form as they have now only won once in their last 11 games.

It is reported that the West Ham hierarchy had a recent meeting to discuss the former Manchester City manager’s position.

The reports suggest that Pellegrini will be allowed to be in charge for West Ham’s next fixture which is against an out of form Southampton side, who sit in 19th place, on the weekend, where three points is a must.

Owners David Sullivan and David Gold are known to be reluctant to change managers during a season and thus are willing to give the illustrious manager some more time.

The 66-year-old is the favourite to be the next manager to leave their post according to the bookies as his odds of leaving have shortened to 1/6.

The bookies also have former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe as the favourites to take over the managerial role on a permanent basis if Pellegrini were to be sacked.

Benitez’s odds are currently 5/4 whereas young Eddie Howe’s odds are set at a low 2/1.

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has recently come out in support of his manager despite their horrific form as the young English international insisted that the players love working with Pellegrini, who also previously managed Real Madrid.