Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed the suggestion his decision to work in China before he joined West Ham was a sign he had lost some of his motivation.
The 66-year-old spent two years at Hebei China Fortune after leaving Manchester City in 2016 and was being paid £10million a year with the Chinese Super League club.
It has often been suggested that players and managers move to China to claim one last payday before retirement, but Pellegrini insists he remains as motivated as ever to be successful with West Ham.
“I do not think managers work only for money,” said Pellegrini. “If money is your motivation I do not think you will be a top manager ever.
“Motivation for a manager is to demonstrate what you can do and that will maybe allow you to have good contracts.
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“China is a different experience and you can be sure I viewed coming here as a challenge. My motivation is the same as the first year I started.
"Fortunately for me I worked 20 years in a row and I expect to continue at least 10 years more.”
Pellegrini was under pressure before West Ham beat Chelsea on Saturday, but that 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge has afforded him some breathing space.
The Hammers play at Wolves on Wednesday night knowing a win could lift them back to the top half of the table.
Pellegrini said: “I did not come here to fight against relegation or for money. My challenge was to grow with West Ham. We will continue fighting.”
Pellegrini will make a late decision on whether Michail Antonio plays, but the frontman could be left out as a precaution, having recently returned from a hamstring injury.
David Martin will continue in goal following his dream debut at Chelsea.
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