West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Premier League-winning boss Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager.
The 64-year-old Chilean has signed a three-year contract with the Hammers.
Former Man City and Real Madrid chief Pellegrini left his role with Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune over the weekend and flew to London for talks about succeeding David Moyes at the London Stadium.
West Ham opted not to keep Moyes on after the Scot's short-term contract ended following the final game of the Premier League season - a 3-1 win over his former side Everton which saw them finish 13th in the Premier League.
With a title-winning manager now at the helm, the Hammers will be aiming to fulfil their dream of challenging for European football.
Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan told the club's website: "I am delighted to welcome Manuel Pellegrini to West Ham United. He is one of the world's most respected football coaches and we look forward to working with him.
"It was important that we appointed someone with knowledge and experience of the Premier League, who already has an understanding - not only of the teams and players we face - but of West Ham United and our ambitions.
"Manuel brings a reputation for attacking football and getting the best out of his players. We believe he will attract new talent to the London Stadium as well as improving the current squad."
Pellegrini coached at Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga in Spain before taking charge of Manchester City in 2013, going on to win the 2013/14 Premier League title as well as two League Cups before his departure.
He left the Etihad Stadium in June 2016, to be succeeded by Pep Guardiola, but was soon back in work at Hebei.
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Despite being under contract through to the end of 2018 and with a reported release clause of US dollars 7million (£5.3million), Hebei confirmed on Saturday that Pellegrini was no longer in his role.
Sullivan continued: "Above all, he is a winner, who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and is driven to continue that success. Manuel is the first West Ham United manager to have a Premier League title on his CV, and we believe that his experience, quality and proven record of taking teams forward quickly will ensure that he is successful here.
"We have listened to fans who asked us to be ambitious. We hope they agree it is an exciting appointment.
"Manuel will shortly announce the names of the new staff he will bring in and he will then get down to shaping the squad he wants. We all wish him the very best of luck."
Talksport
