Mario Husillos has officially been confirmed as West Ham’s new director of football, and he could reignite an excellent working relationship with Manuel Pellegrini.
Husillos joins the club from Malaga, where he worked closely with new manager Manuel Pellegrini in the 2012/13 season, suggesting he could be about to form an exciting new South American double act at the London Stadium.
The pair oversaw Malaga’s most successful period in their history, guiding them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a sixth place finish in La Liga.
Husillos in particular was praised for his efforts in bringing a number of great players to the club during that time such as Javier Saviola and Roque Santa Cruz, and Hammers fans will be excited for him to call upon his extensive scouting network once again for their beloved club.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I know the manager well and know he wants to deliver an exciting brand of attacking football. It will be my job to supply him with the tools to do just that.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Manuel Pellegrini again. We had great success together at Malaga, reaching the Champions League, and he is someone that I have huge respect for.”
Admittedly, he had an iffy return to Malaga at the start of the year as the side went on to be relegated to the Spanish second tier, but it very much sounds like Husillos and Pellegrini are on the same page and know each other’s qualities inside and out. After the unrest of last season, it’s going to be hugely important for the fans to see cohesion and understanding off the pitch as well as on it.
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