Newcastle United fans on social media were thrilled over updates that West Ham were set to appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their next manager.
The Hammers had previously been thought to be lining up Magpies boss, Rafa Benitez, to be the next person to sit in the club’s hot seat, with the Daily Mirror reporting on Thursday that he was their number one target.
Several reports about the Hammers’ pursuit of the Spanish manager followed with The Guardian even claiming that the London-based club were ready to make a formal approach for Benitez as they were seriously considering activating his £6million exit clause in his current contract.
However Pauto, a Chilean news outlet, then reported that Pellegrini had signed a contract with the Hammers to be their new manager and would be presented by the club by Monday.
Respected Times Journalist, Martin Hardy, who also wrote ‘Rafa’s Way’ a book about the manager’s revival of the Magpies, tweeted via his personal Twitter account, to reveal that he had been told Pellegrini was going to West Ham.
Told Pellegrini to West Ham…which might calm things a bit in the north east…
— Martin Hardy (@mhardysport) May 17, 2018
This reported twist in the Hammers’ manager hunt had Magpies supporters reacting passionately on Twitter, with one stating that it was great news for Mike Ashley.
It was previously believed and reported by The Sun, that Pellegrini was a manager no longer being considered as an option by the Hammers.
Nothing But Newcastle have rounded up some of the best tweets about Pellegrini to West Ham:
https://twitter.com/samquinnn/status/997161102428524544
Everyone saying it's Pellegrini at West Ham now. #NUFC https://t.co/1FySBdWeUQ
— NUFC Gallowgate (@NUFCgallowgate) May 17, 2018
— NUFC Gallowgate (@NUFCgallowgate) May 17, 2018
This is great news for Mike Ashley too as the urgency has just decreased. He loves a gamble doesn’t he.. Everyone can see what needs to happen, except one man, the most important man.
— Matt Upton (@mattjupton) May 17, 2018
Anything on Rafa agreeing new deal or is this guna drag on and on always the doubt and drama around this club!!
— GlennO (@glenn2502) May 17, 2018
Thank God!
— Vladimir Savic (@vsavic1977) May 17, 2018
It’s hardly a surprise. Never believed a word of the Benítez talk, it all just seemed a bit….unlikely. Pellegrini will do a good job there and solidify them as perennial relegation avoiders.
— Chris F (@GeordieChris_F) May 17, 2018
Nowt to calm
— Kris. (@karcher_nufc) May 17, 2018
Who was it that called it wrong first earlier then?
— Miggy's right foot (@MontyMag) May 17, 2018
In Chile they say it's already Pellegrini to West Ham. https://t.co/GkxLpqVOZI
— NUFCThreatLevel (@NUFCThreatLevel) May 17, 2018
I'm still trying to calculate why on earth Rafa would give West Ham ANY thought whatsoever.
— Marc Jobling (@MarcJobling) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChrisMc1892/status/997244020899373062
https://twitter.com/CheekyTOON24/status/997170111332175873
https://twitter.com/Michael5Davison/status/997159694740414465
