Sky Sports have confirmed in the last few moments that Manuel Pellegrini is now the leading candidate for the vacant West Ham job, with Newcastle confident of keeping Rafa Benitez at the club – despite the Hammers still holding interest in the Spaniard.
Yesterday was manic, with several reports tipping Rafa for a move down south and suggesting he was their number one target, however it’s since emerged that Pellegrini could be their man.
Whilst Sky insist that nothing has been agreed as of yet, the 64-year-old Chilean, who won the title with City in 2014, is now the man who’s being tipped to take over – not Rafa Benitez.
Here’s a snippet from their latest piece this afternoon:
“Manuel Pellegrini is now the leading candidate to succeed David Moyes as West Ham manager, Sky Sports News understands.
“The Hammers are still interested in Benitez, although Newcastle are confident of keeping the Spaniard at St James’ Park.”
Sky sources: Manuel Pellegrini is now leading candidate to become @WestHamUtd manager. #SSN pic.twitter.com/oKklX47VNI
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 18, 2018
It’s also being claimed elsewhere too, with the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards stating it’s ‘almost done’:
Sounds like Pellegrini to West Ham is almost done #NUFC
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) May 18, 2018
It’s a good to hear and should allow NUFC fans to relax a little after being on tenterhooks over the 24 hours, but this doesn’t suddenly mean Rafa is staying, unfortunately.
Whether it’s West Ham or not, we need to sort things out with him as soon as possible, with Rafa only likely to get more and more frustrated the longer this drags on.
The Chronicle claim talks are now entering a ‘crucial stage’ regarding assurances this summer and a potential new contract, so let’s hope the club pull their act together and sort out this completely avoidable situation.
rafa won,t like being second choice
nossa(Quote)
Still don’t think Rafa will sign a new contract with Penfold & Ashley.
BillytheFish(Quote)