West Ham confirm ex-Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini as new manager to replace David Moyes

WEST HAM have confirmed ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager.

The 64-year-old Chilean flew in for talks over the weekend, and agreed terms with the Hammers hierarchy last night.

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He replaces David Moyes, who was released by the club at the end of his contract following a 13th place Premier League finish.

SunSport revealed over the weekend that Pellegrini would become the new West Ham chief, leaving the former Manchester United boss fuming.

Moyes was offered a deal around four-weeks ago, which he held off signing until the end of the season, before it was withdrawn.

Pellegrini will be joined at London Stadium by his trusted assistant Ruben Cousillas.

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West Ham Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: “I am delighted to welcome Manuel Pellegrini to West Ham United. He is one of the world’s most respected football coaches and we look forward to working with him.

“It was important that we appointed someone with knowledge and experience of the Premier League, who already has an understanding – not only of the teams and players we face – but of West Ham United and our ambitions.

“Manuel brings a reputation for attacking football and getting the best out of his players. We believe he will attract new talent to the London Stadium as well as improving the current squad.

“Above all, he is a winner, who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and is driven to continue that success. Manuel is the first West Ham United manager to have a Premier League title on his CV, and we believe that his experience, quality and proven record of taking teams forward quickly will ensure that he is successful here.

“We have listened to fans who asked us to be ambitious. We hope they agree it is an exciting appointment."

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West Ham had held talks with a number of targets, before landing the ex-Hebei China Fortune chief.

They had hoped to snap-up Newcastle's Rafa Benitez, but a move proved too difficult to complete.

Pellegrini has taken a huge pay cut to return to the Premier League from China.

But he will still be the highest-paid manager in the club's history, with the Chilean understood to have agreed a £7million-a-year deal.

He won the 2013-14 league title while at City, along with two EFL trophies.

Pellgrini spent three-years at the Etihad, and is remembered fondly by their fans.