Premier League

Cole avoids condemning Pellegrini

|
Image for Cole avoids condemning Pellegrini

Joe Cole believes West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini won’t be sacked despite his side losing 3-2 to Tottenham on Saturday.

Jake Humphrey asked the former Hammers midfielder if the loss to Spurs meant “that’s it for Pellegrini” and Cole revealed he didn’t think it was all over for the experienced manager.

Cole said he doesn’t want to be the one to say it’s time for Pellegrini to go and acknowledged that it would be a tough decision to part with Pellegrini with managers coming and going.

“I don’t think so and I don’t want to be the one to say,” said Cole on BT Sport 1 (14:29, Saturday, November 23rd).

“He’s having a tough time and results speak for themselves, we’re in a crazy season at the moment.

“Managers are coming and going, it’s a tough one.”

OPINION

Cole avoids saying he thinks West Ham should sack Pellegrini, but he hardly gives the manager a ringing endorsement either. The former Hammers midfielder points out how results speak for themselves, the Hammers haven’t won any of their last seven league games, and that suggests he at least thinks Pellegrini’s job is in jeopardy. West Ham were 3-0 down against Tottenham before staging a comeback to make the score more respectable, with it ending 3-2. While some may argue that the Hammers nearly earned themselves a draw shows how the side are fighting for their manager, you have to question whether West Ham nearly getting a point was more down to Spurs taking their foot off the pedal. Jose Mourinho’s side looked so comfortable in the game for so long, you feel that they lost focus and this led to the Hammers getting a couple of goals. That said while the jury is out on Pellegrini, at least Antonio wowed against Tottenham.  The 29-year-old entered the game at half-time and was a spark for his side. Antonio racked up one goal, made one key pass and completed three dribbles, as per WhoScored, so at least Hammers fans can at least focus on him if they want to be cheery after a loss to their fierce rivals.

Share this article