OPINION
With every passing week, things appear to get less and less salvageable for Manuel Pellegrini.
The Chilean has now overseen seven successive Premier League matches without a win for West Ham this season, having failed to pick up all three points against Tottenham on Saturday.
And with games against Arsenal, Wolves, and Chelsea all to come in the near future, things could get a whole lot worse before they get better.
As such, it is no real surprise that there are various names being linked with the top job in east London, should Pellegrini be given the shove.
But the latest rumour could prove to be a sobering blow for the Hammers.
According to a report from The Athletic, Chris Hughton is understood to be interested in replacing Pellegrini and has supporters at the club.
But for many West Ham fans, that would surely be a disappointment.
That’s not to say that Hughton isn’t a good manager, or that he didn’t do impressive work with Brighton prior to getting sacked in May, but he is hardly an A-list name, nor is he the young, up-and-coming manager that many are hoping for.
At 60, he is hardly over the hill, but he’s no spring chicken either.
Most significantly, however, it could be hard to sell an appointment like Hughton to the fanbase.
A perennial mid-table manager, he has neither the pedigree or the potential to get supporters excited; even Pellegrini had trophies to justify his arrival.
As such, it’s probably best that the Irons steer clear of Hughton and pursue more desirable targets.