Defeat at home to Leicester City proved the final straw for West Ham's owners, who summarily dismissed Pellegrini after this latest setback.
It has be a turbulent reign for the Chilean since he took over the manager’s job from David Moyes back in the summer of 2018.
Pellegrini made an instant impact, bringing in nine new players, including Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko, Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Jack Wilshere.
These signings proved a series of hits and misses. Club record signing Anderson was a big hit unplayable at times, thrilling the fans with his mazey runs and scoring a collections of memorable goals. Fabianski was probably the bargain (£7m), a brilliant keeper, who saved the team many points last year.
Diop forged a formidable centre back parternship with Fabian Balbuena, then Angelo Ogbonna. Others were less successful. Jack Wilshere was signed on a three year contract, reported to be around £100k a week but has played only a handful of games. Yarmolenko was out for most of last season before returning with early promise this term but then again faded from the scene.
Pellegrini brought on some young players, with Declan Rice sparkling under his tutelage. Grady Diangana also made a big impact, troubling defences and scoring goals – a number of fans remain baffled as to why he was loaned to West Brom for the season – where he has prospered.
Pellegrini began his time at West Ham badly losing his first four games, before turning the corner last season. The team finished well, securing 10th, though it could so easily have been 7th or 8th. Everyone at the club was optimistic for the new season.
There were new signings Sebastian Haller (£43m) and Pablo Fornals (£22m) plus the return of Yarmolenko and a rejuvenated Michail Antonio.
Things began well, with the club in and around the top four come the end of September. Then it all seemed to go wrong. The 0-4 :Caraboa Cup defeat at League II Oxford United seemed pivotal, referred to by Pellegrini as the time when things began to go wrong.
Three days after that game talismanic keeper Fabianski was injured playing against Bournemouth– out for three months. What made matters worse was that his deputy Roberto proved to be a disaster, repeatedly making errors and costing points in the Premier League. It was not until Roberto was replaced by David Martin (son of club legend Alvin) that things began to look up with a victory at Chelsea. Another away win at Southampton showed promise but still the defeats kept coming at home.
The collapse in confidence is difficult to fathom. A team that was briskly passing the ball, going through sides, now looked impotent. The confidence of early season visibly drained from the players.
A number of the players just did not look bothered. The confident Haller, who scored four early goals looked a shadow of his former self, slow and uninterested. In what proved the penultimate game against Crystal Palace, there was a big fall out on the pitch between captain Mark Noble and veteran defender Angelo Ogbonna.
The manager made some very odd selections, sticking with Roberto when it seemed only he could see the value of the player. Repeatedly subsituting Anderson early, when he was often the most potent force on the pitch.
His signings have been a series of hits and misses. Letting keeper Adrian go to Liverpool, whilst replacing him with the error prone Roberto was probably the most costly mistake.
Critics also point to Pellegrini’s love of creative players – the signing of the likes of Wilshere, Fornals and Anderson, but failing to strengthen weak areas such as at full backs and holding midfield.
Moyes should do the job. The team are not in the relegation area yet, just sliding towards it. Moyes will get the players fitter, with a very definite idea of how he wants them to play. If they don’t do what the manager wants, they will be out. Not always the most attractive team under Moyes, they will pick up the points needed to stay in the Premier League.
The failure of Pellegrini will be a big blow to the board, who brought in a big name, who they hoped would take the club to the next level. It has not worked out, with the club now lumbered with 18 months to pay out on an £8 m a year contract.
A move to Moyes will for many fans will seem like back to the future: consolidation and safety, rather than going to the next level. The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino or Rafa Benitez would testify that the light of ambition is still burning bright at West Ham.
Despite the recent form, there is though plenty to be optimistic about. The squad is good,with some exciting players. There is huge potential to bring young players through
It is now time to regroup at West Ham, before plotting the way forward – there is much that needs to be done at a club that despite its size continues to under deliver for its fans.
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