West Ham sack Pellegrini after Leicester defeat

West Ham United’s Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Leicester City at The London Stadium, in east London on December 28, 2019. – West Ham sacked manager Manuel Pellegrini after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester left the Hammers just one point above the Premier League’s relegation zone. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

A defeat by an under-strength Leicester City proved to be Manuel Pellegrini’s last match in charge of West Ham, with the veteran manager sacked two hours after Saturday’s 2-1 loss at the London Stadium.

A fourth successive home defeat for the Hammers, who have won just twice in 14 matches, left them a point above the Premier League relegation zone, with the club subsequently announcing the 66-year-old Pellegrini had left with “immediate effect” following an 18-month spell in charge.

“It is with great disappointment that we’ve had to make this decision,” said David Sullivan, the West Ham joint-chairman. “Manuel is a gentleman and it has been a real pleasure to work with someone of his calibre.