The West Ham United board and new manager Manuel Pellegrini are involved in a behind-the-scenes conflict over the Chilean’s choice of head of recruitment, it has been revealed in The Sun.
A report from the media outlet states that the new Hammers boss wants to bring Mario Husillos to the London Stadium to take over from Tony Henry who was given his marching orders from the club after accusations of racism were levelled against him.
However the Irons are said to be concerned about Husillos’ involvement at Malaga where he oversaw a number of transfers in January which were deemed to have been crucial in the Spanish club’s relegation from La Liga, and they do not want a replica of those event in east London.
OPINION:
This is not good news if Pellegrini and the board are already at loggerheads. The Hammers are not known for being the smoothest of run clubs but there was the feeling that following the Chilean’s appointments and subsequent comments from David Gold that West Ham were finally in a good place, with supporters and the board all in harmony. This report though would seem to refute that and suggest that relations are not quite as good between the two parties as you would expect for a new appointment. However, the board are right to question Husillos’ credentials, being that it was he at whom the finger was pointed at to be behind Malaga’s relegation. It is perhaps a relief to know that the board are not willing to take anybody on board and want the appointment of their next head of recruitment to be the right one, and one that can bring the club up to the level they want to be.