Sullivan admits West Ham ‘regrets’
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan isn’t exactly the most popular person with the club’s supporters, and perhaps understandably so.
He and fellow Hammers chief David Gold are fast approaching a decade in charge of the east London outfit, yet there are suggestions that they have failed to move the club substantially forward.
Now, Sullivan has addressed that issue himself, looking back on his 10 years at the helm of the Irons.
“I would like [to] talk about what we have achieved on the pitch but unfortunately, despite our investment and best efforts, we have not made the progress we all expected under the club’s most high-profile and proven manager [Manuel Pellegrini], having brought in a director of football [Mario Husillos],” he told the Evening Standard.
“What happens on the pitch is what matters most to our supporters and is our main focus. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and perhaps it was a mistake to have let David Moyes go the first time.
“Manuel Pellegrini, an appointment which was welcomed by the supporters, had won the Premier League with Manchester City but ultimately, despite being a good manager, he wasn’t the best fit for the club.
“Overall, I believe the club is in a far better state than it was 10 years ago. We have some regrets, including the appointments of some managers, but we feel that we have the right one now and we are confident he will do well for us.”
Are the club in a better state than a decade ago?
Financially there’s no doubt that West Ham are better off now, while they have a bigger stadium as well.
On the pitch, though, they’re not in much better shape. Yes, they’re an established top flight club, but not a consistent top half team, let alone top six or seven.
The frustrating thing is that Sullivan seems determined to shift the blame onto Pellegrini and Husillos rather that accepting his own failings. Even when he does acknowledge his mistakes, it’s only to say he appointed the wrong manager…
In other West Ham news, manager David Moyes has been left blown away by one Hammers player.