Former West Ham defender Tony Gale doubts Manuel Pellegrini will be able to improve the club’s fortunes without significant spending on new players.
The former Manchester City boss was confirmed as the Hammers’ new manager on Tuesday morning, replacing David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Gale suggested it was unlikely Pellegrini could achieve more than his predecessor.
“Not with those players. He’d be hard pushed to improve those players from last season,” Gale said.
“What they need to do is not sell their best players and add to the current squad. Hopefully he’s had a proviso with the board that there is money to spend – otherwise why would he want to come to the club?
“After having the funds he had at Man City it’ll be interesting to see how he copes at West Ham.”
Pellegrini told West Ham’s website after his appointment was confirmed that he is looking to bolster the squad this summer.
He said: “With the players we have in this moment in the squad, and bringing maybe another four or five players in, we are going to have a strong team.
“I am excited about this project. I know that this league is very good and it’s not easy to do it, but I think that working all together with the owners, the technical staff and the fans, we have an important power and can think about reaching important targets for the season.”