Just 24 hours after being named favourite for the axe, West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has moved position in the Premier League sack race yet again.
Pellegrini is a under intense pressure as speculation swirls over his future.
West Ham have not won for eight games. And the Hammers put in another dismal display against bitter rivals Tottenham last time out.
The manner of West Ham’s nosedive from third to 17th in the table has seen a call for change among Hammers fans both in terms of manager and ownership.
West Ham staring relegation battle in the face
Supporters are realistic enough to know the latter is highly unlikely.
Fan anger and frustration has turned to apathy in recent weeks. And when that happens owners tend to get twitchy.
A lack of ambition and expenditure is a sore subject with supporters when it comes to David Sullivan and David Gold.
West Ham have spent just £115million net in the three windows since Pellegrini was appointed.
The East Londoners shipped out 11 players in the summer making a saving of over £700,000 per week in wages. But they signed just six with a net spend of £25m.
A lack of signings has left Pellegrini short on numbers and quality in several key areas.
Pellegrini moves position in sack race
And it has shown on the pitch.
Pellegrini’s odds to be the next Premier League manager sacked have fluctuated in recent weeks.
Everton boss Marco Silva, Gunners boss Unai Emery and Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl are also under pressure.
Pellegrini was named favourite for the axe on Monday (Daily Mail). That came as reports emerged claiming the Hammers hierarchy were set for a ‘crisis meeting’ with the manager (The Mirror).
But just 24 hours later the Chilean has dropped down to third favourite behind Silva and Emery.
Insider says Pellegrini will be in charge at Chelsea
That could mean Pellegrini has received the backing of the board after the reported meeting.
Reliable insider ExWHUemployee said this week he expects Pellegrini to be in charge for the daunting trip to face Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on Saturday, read full story here.
Things don’t get much easier either. After that comes a trip to Wolves and home game against Arsenal.
Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in performance levels the Hammers will be hard pressed to come away with anything from those three matches.
And that will surely leave owners David Sullivan and David Gold with a decision to make.
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