West Ham United are making headlines again this week and Jose Mourinho has a message for whoever takes over from David Moyes as manager.
West Ham decided to part company with Moyes as they look to appoint a “high calibre manager with Premier League and European experience in the next seven days” – as revealed by co-owner David Sullivan on the club’s official website.
That rules out rumoured targets Unai Emery and Paulo Fonseca but very much rules in the likes of Manuel Pellegrini and Rafa Benitez who are the two frontrunners for the Hammers hotseat.
Supporters have been revolting against Sullivan, fellow co-owner David Gold and their vice-chairman Karren Brady over what they feel are broken promises regarding the move to the London Stadium, transfer spending and ambition.
West Ham fans were told the move to Stratford would enable them to compete with the elite for top players in the transfer market but only Marko Arnautovic has proved an impressive big money signing in the two years since.
Consecutive seasons flirting with relegation are a world away from the vision sold to supporters – 52,000 of whom bought season tickets for their opening two campaigns, second to only the mighty Manchester United.
Some pundits and fans have suggested West Ham can’t attract top players unless they start paying big money.
But now the Red Devils’ manager Jose Mourinho has told Portuguese media outlet Record that West Ham are an attractive proposition when discussing his fellow Portuguese and Hammers loan star Joao Mario.
“I’d like him to stay in England, it would be better for him,” Mourinho told Record.
“He’s started a good process and it would be right to complete it. It’s a process through which he can establish himself in English football. Staying in the Premier League would be good for his growth.
“Joao Mario at United? Why not! West Ham is a historic, important club that wants to grow. Joao just had to adapt.
“He’s someone who thinks and acts quickly, he’s recovering intensity and aggressiveness, I’ve liked him more in every game.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
