West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says that the club are “very close” to appointing a new manager after Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez entered the frame.
Standard Sport revealed on Thursday that Benitez, the Hammers’ top choice to replace David Moyes, would be willing to make the move to the London Stadium provided West Ham can match his ambitions.
Benitez has a year remaining on his contract at Newcastle and has had to make do with limited transfer funds at St James’ Park, making his achievement in guiding the newly-promoted Magpies to 10th in the Premier League all the more impressive.
The 58-year-old, who has also managed at Liverpool and Chelsea, came close to joining West Ham in 2015 before taking the Real Madrid job.
West Ham, who opted against extending Moyes’ contract despite the Scot taking them from the relegation zone to a 13th-placed finish, also have the likes of Manuel Pellegrini, ex-Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery and Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic on their shortlist but they appear to believe the search is nearing its end.
Sullivan said: “I would like to reassure our supporters that we have left no stone unturned in selecting the individual we believe is the right man to take West Ham United forward.
“We have followed a process that is progressing entirely to plan and are now very close to reaching an agreement.
“This is an exciting time for our football club. We are preparing to appoint a manager who has a proven record of success at the highest level of the game.”
A statement from the club added: “West Ham United would like to assure supporters that the board are extremely confident of appointing a high-calibre first-team manager, who has a proven record both in the Premier League and European football.
“The club expect to make an announcement within the next seven days, following a thorough and strategic process that has identified the best possible candidates.”
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The club’s statement, and its reference to a record in the Premier League, would appear to point strongly to both Benitez and Pellegrini, though a move for the latter could prove problematic as West Ham would not be able to match the wages paid by his current side, Hebei China Fortune.
