It’s just a couple of weeks since Manuel Pellegrini the 64-year-old Chilean, who managed Manchester City to the Premier League title – signed on at West Ham.
And it’s been a tough two weeks with Pellegrini and his wife Carola Pucci being mugged at gunpoint by a gang as they went out to dinner in the Chilean capital of Santiago.
They were on their way to a restaurant when they were held up at gunpoint, and his wife’s purse was taken.
Manuel Pellegrini – tough last two weeks
A spokesman for West Ham United said after the mugging:
“We are relieved to hear that Manuel and his wife were both unharmed.”
Pellegrini acted courageously and later thanked Chilean police for their “quick and courageous” response.
Carola Pucci’s purse was retrieved by the police.
And there’s news in the Mirror today the manager is at odds with the West Ham owners over transfer targets for this summer.
The Mirror is reporting that Pellegrini has given the Hammers several transfer targets and has had them quickly knocked back by the Chairmen.
The West Ham co-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold appointed the Chilean after they gave him some significant promises, which they appear to be quickly backing away from.
Does this sound familiar?
Manuel Pellegrini is now said to be frustrated with several transfer targets being turned down.
If Rafa does leave Newcastle then maybe West Ham would not be a suitable place to move to?
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
Bobbybee
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:21 AM
Comment #1Her purse wa later retrieved by the police – empty and discarded no doubt. Oh the irony of stoopid criminals! The purse was probably more valuable than the contents!! 🙂
RobLeenio
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:22 AM
Comment #2Ed: “If Rafa does leave Newcastle then maybe West Ham would not be a suitable place to move to?”
There’s no ‘maybe’ about it.
Oh, I’m bored of this window…..
Bobbybee
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:22 AM
Comment #3Was, even. 🙂
Lindisfarne
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #4Absolutely stunning that the PL clubs find themselves with an abundance of cash and yet find it difficult to balance their books, are extorted when buying players, face ever increasing Agent fees with associated costs and have over expanded squads due to the in ability to move highly paid players on when not wanted.
Pottsclock
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #5Beardsley has to go. End of.
I’m a little younger than Beardsley but of his generation. For those who say it’s a generational thing, he is mixing with the young generation all the time. Day in, day out. He knows what is acceptable these days and what is not.
Apart from that, he’s not done a good job either and maybe the two things are related because when that behaviour is seen, no one has respect.
Bobbybee
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #6With the track record of Gold and Sullivan, surely this was so so predictable? Probably one of the reasons Rafa didn’t give it a second thought. Two chancers in the Ashley mode.
RobLeenio
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Comment #7Lindisfarne, what you describe above sounds like the prelude to a financial collapse. European football has been operating in an economic bubble for years. We all know what happens to bubbles when they stretch too far.
There are recent signs that clubs cannot sustain this economic model. Maybe the top 5% of clubs can, but not those below them. We’re seeing frayed edges at West Ham now, to go with Palace, Villa, Sunderland and Chelsea.
In that case, clubs that can ‘wipe their own noses’ will be very well placed.
Interesting times ahead?
Bobbybee
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #8Potts, nobody was excusing Pedro because of his age mate, just pointing out that times have changed so much over the years. Clearly he hasn’t and that simply isn’t good enough. Most of us managed to move with the times, it’s just a shame he didn’t. There is no excuse for what he’s done, especially as he must’ve spent his entire career working with different races. Some people get stuck in their ways and clearly he must be one of them. His time’s up. You either evolve or go extinct.
Slank
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #9Both Pellegrini and Benetez are very experienced managers who are not ‘wet behind the ears’ rookie managers on their first journey into management and the realities of dealing with limited finances and owners and therefore perhaps they are frustrated (with a small ‘f’) but they are realists and it’s not something that would come as a shock to them.
I think fans possibly feel more frustrated than the managers.
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:36 AM
Comment #10I wonder how Beardlsey voted in the European Referendum.
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Comment #11So many dodgy chairmen about. It’s more difficult to name a few good ones who I wouldn’t mind having.
Bobbybee
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:42 AM
Comment #12Rob, I read the book Rafa’s Way and he wants the club to wipe its own nose. His project is aimed at showing you can be successful without over spending. Which makes it more difficult to understand Ashley’s stubbornness in allowing him to get on with it. They both want the same thing, you’d think Ashley would be happy with that approach and just give him what he’s asking for.
Pottsclock
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #13Let’s see if Pellegrini lasts the two and a bit seasons with West Ham that Rafa has with us. I seriously doubt it.
Assuming no further changes in management, we’ll have the eighth longest serving manager of all the Premier League clubs at the start of next season, including the promoted clubs, and the 22nd longest serving manager in the entire football league.
getoutofworeclub
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Comment #14Wake up people if yous think that we r going to spend money this season yours r wrong 1 signing so far is a joke we mite sign 1 more and a couple of loans if lucky we will be relying on player sales this is Mick Ashley we r talking about it’s been a 11 years and people on here still think Ashley will change them people r living in a dream land Rafa will be gone by the end of the season or maybe before the way it’s looking but yet most on here will still buy a season ticket says it all really if Rafa walks that’s the finish for me am done
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Comment #15Ashley has totally lost his taste for sacking managers and he certainly will be loathe to lose Rafa.
getoutofworeclub
Jun 6, 2018 at 10:47 AM
Comment #16There is really no point following nufc anymore if Rafa walks I will only ever go back when the fat man is gone I’ve had enough u can see what’s coming it’s all there to see same old story