Under fire Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti is a new name on the list of candidates to replace Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham.
Pellegrini is under intense pressure to save his job after just one win in 10 matches.
Victory over Chelsea at the weekend briefly lifted the gloom for West Ham.
But a predictable 2-0 defeat at Wolves in midweek saw speculation over the Chilean’s future ramp up again.
A host of managers have been linked as possible replacements for Pellegrini in the Hammers hotseat.
Host of managers linked to Pellegrini’s job
From Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche and Rafa Benitez to David Moyes and Chris Hughton (The Guardian).
But a new name entered the fray overnight in the shape of former Chelsea boss Ancelotti.
The highly decorated manager is currently enduring a nightmare time in Naples. He is expected to leave the club imminently (Daily Mail).
And that has seen him join a list of candidates currently said to be in the running, albeit as an outsider as things stand.
It is not the first time Ancelotti has been mentioned for the West Ham manager’s job.
Ancelotti enters list of candidates as outsider
When West Ham were preparing to sack Slaven Bilic, Ancelotti was named as a genuine contender (Daily Mail).
Indeed the man himself has even commented on the prospect of managing ‘amazing’ West Ham in the past.
Then Chelsea manager, the Italian told the now defunct News of the World he would happily manage West Ham to stay in English football despite the fact the club had just been relegated.
“I would coach West Ham – why not,” Ancelotti told News of the World in 2011.
“It’s a challenge to manage a team outside of the top four and even in the Championship.
“The atmosphere at West Ham is amazing. I have respect for every team and the job of my colleagues. It is the same and it doesn’t matter if you can manage a top team or a smaller team.
Would Ancelotti manage ‘amazing’ Hammers? Only one way to find out
“If a club said to me, ‘You can manage this club without money’, I’d have to decide whether to accept or not. Money is not a motivation. The money has never been a motivation for me.”
Ancelotti’s previous comments and his potential availability should give West Ham’s owners David Sullivan and David Gold food for thought.
If the Italian was interested back then with the Hammers in the second tier and playing in a 35,000 capacity ground, what would he make of them now with the club packing out their 60,000 seater London Stadium home week in week out in the top flight?
Only one way to find out…
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