Former West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has suggested that the club’s board must match new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s ambition if they expect the Chilean to take the club forward.

Speaking on TalkSPORT’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show, Allardyce, who managed the club between 2011 and 2015, insists that the calibre of targets linked with moves to the London Stadium proves that Pellegrini has already been setting his sights high as he looks to improve the Hammers squad.

The 63-year-old even hinted that although the board have publicly stated their intentions to spend big and back Pellegrini, they will inevitably be judged by their actions and not their intentions.

“I’m not so sure that David Sullivan and David Gold realise what a manager like him would do,” Allardyce said.

“He will find the best players and want the best players to come to the club, which will cost them money.”

Among the players that Pellegrini has reportedly been casting his eye over include Lazio maestro Felipe Anderson, although West Ham have been left frustrated in their transfer dealings until now with only Fulham full-back Ryan Fredericks moving to the club so far.

With the club’s board rumoured to be targeting a Europa League place in the forthcoming Premier League campaign, the board will need to stump up further funds to aid Pellegrini’s rebuilding project.