The journalist who famously broke news of West Ham United’s record signing of Sebastien Haller in the summer has made a new claim.

Manuel Pellegrini was sacked on Saturday night following West Ham’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City.

Pellegrini has been under intense pressure after West Ham’s nosedive from third to the brink of the relegation zone over the last three months.

West Ham have won just twice in 14 matches during that time.

And they were only kept out of the relegation zone by Watford’s win over Aston Villa.

Pellegrini axed after two wins in 14

Hammers supporters have been calling for change.

And they got it on Saturday night when the decision was announced on the club’s official website.

Speculation has been swirling over potential Pellegrini replacements for the last month.

Speaking on Twitter in the wake of the sacking, Italian journalist Nicolo Schira – who famously broke news of West Ham’s record £45million signing of Haller – made a shocking claim over the man who could take his place.

Italian journalist who broke Haller makes shocking Maresca claim

Schira says fellow Italian and current Hammers coach Enzo Maresca has been OFFERED the job.

“West Ham have offered the role of manager to Enzo Maresca,” Schira claims.

“He is thinking about the possibility of replacement his master Manuel Pellegrini.”

#WestHam have offered the role of manager to Enzo #Maresca. He is thinking about the possibility of replacement his master Manuel #Pellegrini. #transfers #WHUFC — Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) December 28, 2019

According to recent reports Maresca is highly regarded at West Ham.

Earlier this month The Guardian claimed the 39-year-old – who was brought to West Ham by Pellegrini – masterminded the win over Chelsea.

Unproven Italian would be a huge gamble

The shine has been taken off that win somewhat since, though. Chelsea had not won for two games before that defeat to West Ham. And they have lost three of their four matches since.

Maresca has only ever been an assistant coach. He spent a year at Ascoli and then a year at Sevilla before coming to West Ham.

So it would be a huge risk to appoint him given West Ham’s perilous position just above the relegation zone at the halfway stage of the season.