New West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has tabled a three-year offer to Sevilla coach Enzo Maresca to join him as his first arrival at the Irons, according to reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Italian reporter, who is renowned worldwide for his insight in the world of football, claims on his personal website that the former Manchester City boss, who was confirmed to have replaced David Moyes at the Hammers on Tuesday, wants to bring Maresca from Spain to the London Stadium, having worked together at Malaga.
The Italian coach, who has experience of playing in England with West Brom, was reportedly asked to take over as manager of Sevilla’s reserve side by the Spanish club but it is said he has turned down the opportunity and will move to east London to reunite with his former boss.
Opinion
Pellegrini looks to be wasting no time at West Ham and getting his backroom staff sorted out as soon as possible will be his priority. Once he knows he has people he can trust working alongside him, then his attentions will turn towards the transfer window, which will involve some crunch talks with the board over where needs strengthening, how much money is needed and how they hope to achieve their goals. Maresca’s arrival will likely be the first of many new names in through the door as the former Manchester City boss builds up a brand new team both behind-the-scenes as well as out on the field, and there will be much expectation on his shoulders considering the career he has had as a manager. Success might not be immediate, but the board will be expecting significant signs of improvement over the next 12 months – whether Pellegrini can bring that is another matter entirely.