West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has jumped to the defence of director of football Mario Husillos.
It was reported by the Guardian that Husillos’ role at the London Stadium was under threat, with the board suggested to have been unhappy with the signings he brought to the club in summer.
Pellegrini admitted that he didn’t feel like there was a problem with the Argentinian, and further commented that he believes that the Hammers’ hierarchy are in fact happy with his contributions.
“I don’t talk about speculation,” he said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“All the evaluation of different work must be at the end of the season. I know him very well, he is a very good sporting director and I don’t think the club is not happy with him.”
OPINION
There is not one little bit of surprise that Pellegrini has defended Husillos given their past in football together. The South American pair had worked together at Malaga years before arriving at the London Stadium. Just like football management though, Husillos’ role is judged on results and the majority of players that he has brought to the club over the summer have simply not performed. The likes of Pablo Fornals and Albian Ajeti have done little to nothing, and although the Swiss international can be forgiven after not being given a massive chance, Fornals certainly doesn’t have that excuse. It wouldn’t be a wrong decision to get rid of Husillos after his failings this season, but the campaign is only three months old, and it would be smart to possibly give the director of football the January window to prove himself whilst also giving the summer signings time to highlight their worth.