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Manuel Pellegrini wants to use his experience at Villarreal to help take West Ham United to the next level, per the club’s official website.

The Hammers lost 2-1 to Manchester United at the weekend but turned in a spirited performance at Old Trafford, with the Chilean clearly hoping to build on that display.

What’s the word?

During his spell at Villarreal, between 2004 and 2009, Pellegrini achieved qualification for European football in every single season.

The Hammers have performed admirably against a number of the top-six this term, beating Arsenal and United at home and drawing with Liverpool.

After their latest display, Pellegrini has revealed his hope that he can emulate his success in Spain in east London.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “It’s my intention, at least. Maybe when I arrived [at Villarreal], I arrived to something different. It was 2004 and they were a very small team, but we were growing with a complete project with the club and, fortunately for us, we drew nil-nil four times with Manchester United [in the Champions League].

“We did very good work in that club and arrived in the semi-finals of the Champions League [in 2005/06].

“My intention is just to try to repeat here in West Ham what we did there and when we played like we did on Saturday, I think we can do it.

“Now, we must be consistent. When I started in Villarreal 15 years ago maybe the amount of money [paid for] big players was not so high, so now the big teams in this period have more advantage. In that moment we bought big players but now teams like Villarreal are not able to do it.

“Finally, the project and the style of football, I will try to do the same.”

Nowhere near

West Ham aren’t anywhere near Villarreal’s achievements.

The club qualified for the Champions League numerous times and, as Pellegrini said, reached the semi-finals.

West Ham cannot even qualify for the Europa League.

This is a club that simply cannot string wins together and these words are being said after yet another defeat.

Yes, West Ham played well, but if they are to take the step up, they need to be taking points from such encounters.

As it is, Pellegrini’s dream will remain just that.