Doubts are starting to creep in over Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham United.
The Hammers were widely tipped to challenge for a top six place this season. Some pundits and supporters even backed West Ham to push for a Champions League spot.
But a promising start to the season has unravelled in recent weeks.
West Ham have not won in six games. And Pellegrini’s side have only picked up one point from their three most recent home games against Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Newcastle.
Serious question marks over Pellegrini
The East Londoners have slipped to 13th in the Premier League as a result and face a daunting run of fixtures.
As a result serious question marks are being raised over Pellegrini’s future at the club.
His tactics, team selection and recruitment choices have been questioned as the slump continued with the shambolic performance in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.
Fans forums, radio phone-ins and social media has been flooded with angry fans calling for change.
Those at the London Stadium booed the manager and the team and thousands left early in the second half when the Magpies went 3-0 up.
Some Hammers fans calling for Mourinho, Gerrard and Di Canio
Now some supporters are calling on the club to offer Pellegrini’s reported £10million a year salary to a trio of managers.
The biggest name among them is out of work former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese has been linked with a return to Real Madrid. But some supporters believe he could be tempted by a return to the Premier League with a London Club. And they feel he would also get more out of the current squad than Pellegrini is managing.
Another name mentioned has been Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.
Rumours circulating on social media claim West Ham are considering moving for the Gers boss, who has made the Ibrox club genuine title contenders for bitter rivals Celtic.
Big name duo would expect big money
The third name getting traction online is Paolo Di Canio. The Hammers legend has been out of management since being sacked by Sunderland in 2013.
While the names may excite some supporters, Mourinho and Gerrard both seem highly unlikely even if West Ham do decide to ditch Pellegrini.
Both would expect big money to improve the squad. And as West Ham fans know that will not be forthcoming from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, who gave Pellegrini a meagre £25million to spend in the summer.
Indeed the lack of funds can be directly attributed to the team’s recent struggles as the squad has been exposed for its lack of strength in depth.
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