With Manuel Pellegrini looking like he is on borrowed time at West Ham United, could Rafael Benitez be tempted into making a Premier League return?
Chilean Pellegrini finds himself under huge pressure at the moment, and, although West Ham are claimed to have given their backing to the manager, an exit is looking more than likely for the former Manchester City boss.
Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Burnley has extended the Hammers’ winless run to seven games in all competitions, results which have seen the club slip to 16th position in the Premier League and five points above the relegation zone.
Although a victory could potentially lift the east London outfit into the top half of the table, fans are unhappy with the form under Pellegrini and it would be no surprise to see the 66-year-old, who spent over £70million in the summer, given the chop.
So, with a potential second top-flight sacking of the season around the corner, who could replace Pellegrini at the London Stadium?
1) Rafael Benitez
West Ham have been long admirers of the Spanish tactician and they came close to acquiring his services back in 2016, only for Newcastle United to come in and steal him from under the Hammers’ noses.
The former Liverpool boss became a cult hero at St James’ Park, having stayed with the club in the summer of 2016 after failing to save the team from relegation and leading the Magpies back to the Promised Land at the first time of asking.
During the next two seasons, Benitez led Newcastle to 10th and 13th place finishes and those positions were made even more impressive due to the limited funds he was given by owner Mike Ashley.
After leaving his post on Tyneside this summer after failing to agree a new contract, the Spaniard made the move to China, where he currently manages Dalian Yifang, but there are suggestions he could be tempted into an English return.
Benitez has bags of experience, having also managed at the top level in Italy and Spain, and West Ham should be going all out to get him to make the switch to the London Stadium.
2) Arsene Wenger
Wenger has been out of work since leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2018 but he has been linked with the vacant post at Bayern Munich, who sacked Niko Kovac after an average start to the campaign.
The Frenchman, 70, has spoken of his desire to get back into work, and, although his tenure at the Emirates ended on a slightly sour note, he could still do a job in the Premier League.
During his time with the Gunners, Wenger guided the club to three Premier League titles, which included the sensational ‘Invincibles’ campaign in 2003-04, and seven FA Cups.
3) Eddie Howe
If West Ham wanted to go for a younger option, Bournemouth boss Howe would be a fantastic choice. The Englishman has done wonders with the Cherries since returning for a second stint in charge in 2012 and his playing style has earned huge plaudits.
The 41-year-old, who was linked with the Arsenal job when Wenger left, has continued to enhance his reputation every season, and, although failing during his short spell at Burnley, it feels like he is ready to make the next step.
Howe would certainly bring good football to the London Stadium and that is something the fans would be very excited about.
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