According to Sky Sports, Manuel Pellegrini is now the leading candidate to replace David Moyes as West Ham United manager, despite their previous interest in Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez.

The 64-year-old would certainly be a brilliant appointment – even though some Hammers fans on Twitter are unsure on his potential arrival – for the east London outfit considering he has previous Premier League experience having won the title during his time with Manchester City, while he has never finished outside of the top seven during his time as a manager in Europe with the Citizens, Villarreal and Malaga.

The Chilean would be tasked with taking the Irons into the top-half of the table following another disappointing campaign in which they might have expected to do better, having signed the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez last summer.

As well as getting the regular starters from the current season firing next term if he does get the job, he will also be looking to save the careers of some fringe players or others that have failed to make the impact they perhaps would have expected to in recent times.

These three stars will save their West Ham careers if Pellegrini is appointed…

The Senegal international was regular in the starting XI for West Ham throughout the 2017/18 campaign, but his below-par performances in general currently mean that he is in real danger of losing his midfield spot next season if the east London outfit strengthen in that position this summer.

The 28-year-old needs to get back to the fine form he has shown for the Irons previously, and Pellegrini may be just the man to help him do that.

The Chilean will know the athleticism and strength that Kouyate can bring in the middle of the park having worked with soneone similar in stature previously in Yaya Toure, and he could be given a slightly more attacking role in the centre which would seemingly suit him a little more than the one he has played alongside Mark Noble this term.

West Ham fans were understandably excited when Hernandez arrived at the London Stadium last summer, but he never really hit the ground running throughout the season.

The Mexico international particularly struggled to get into the starting XI under previous boss David Moyes, and he was almost certainly heading for the exit door if the Scot stayed.

However, the 29-year-old, who scored eight goals in 33 appearances in all competitions, will likely reconsider his options if Pellegrini takes charge, with the 64-year-old often playing two up top – something that should suit the striker.

When West Ham were struggling under Slaven Bilic early in the season, the fans often called for prolific young striker Martinez to be given a chance in the first team in the Premier League, but it never happened.

While he did make three FA Cup appearances when Moyes took charge, it was clear that he wasn't really going to feature for the rest of the campaign after they were knocked out by Wigan Athletic, and he joined Spanish side Real Valladolid on loan.

The 20-year-old scored one goal in nine games for them, and he will hope that the fact that Kelechi Iheanacho was a regular in the XI in Pellegrini's last season with Manchester City, means that he can get a similar opportunity next season if the Chilean takes the helm and plays two up top.

Do you agree, West Ham fans? Let us know below.