West Ham are no closer to sacking manager Manuel Pellegrini, according to Claret & Hugh.
The Hammers have just one win in their past nine Premier League matches, but it is understood that the board are still hesitant to pull the trigger on dismissing the Chilean.
It is believed that a general lack of quality candidates who could be deemed as potential replacements for Pellegrini is a key factor in the owners’ thinking.
OPINION
It’s hard to know what to make of this. On the one hand, holding onto Pellegrini out of stubbornness or fear is a huge risk, and that kind of managerial Stockholm Syndrome is not a viable long term resolution to a problem to feels increasingly like a mounting crisis. On the other hand, jumping into the abyss without some kind of contingency plan would maybe be the stupidest idea of all. The grass isn’t always greener, and while Pellegrini may not be the man for the job much longer, the last thing the Hammers need is to head into the busy festive fixture list without a rudder to steer them. The question, ultimately, is whether a flawed manager is better than no manager at all, and unless the Irons could find somebody who fit the bill in the very near future, then it’s not impossible to imagine Pellegrini marching into the new year with two crossed hammers on his chest.