Thursday, June 3

Daily WHUFC News - New Manager

Grant takes charge
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has been confirmed as the club's new manager, subject to a work
permit
03.06.2010

West Ham United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Avram Grant as
manager on a four-year contract, subject to being granted a work permit.
Grant will join the club fresh from leading Portsmouth to the FA Cup final
and has a wealth of domestic, European and international experience. His
most notable achievement in the game was to take Chelsea to the 2007/08 UEFA
Champions League final, where only a missed penalty in the shoot-out denied
him the trophy. Ahead of being officially unveiled later this month, Grant
said: "I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It will be an
exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best. "This is a fantastic club
with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I am
already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and
preparing for the new season."
He has been welcomed to the club by the chairmen, with all looking forward
to a busy summer and 2010/11 season ahead - the "beginning of a new era at
West Ham United".
David Sullivan said: "I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am
confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this
appointment and are certain we have got the right man. "We are all looking
forward to next season with new players coming in and Avram's arrival is
just the latest reason for real optimism."

David Gold said: "I have to say that having met Avram and spent some time
with him that we have got our man. He is a perfect fit. "We needed
experience and stability. He is a footballing man and quite frankly his
reputation speaks for itself. He has a great sense of humour and I am sure
the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him."

Keep an eye on whufc.com for exclusive reaction, including a special
supporters' Q & A with the new manager to be shown on WHUTV soon. Send in
your questions to website@westhamunited.co.uk with your name and where you
are from and we will pick a selection to put to Avram Grant in a filmed
interview. Then, log on to WHUTV to see whether your question has been
answered.

Avram Grant factfile

Born: 4 May 1955
Nationality: Israeli
Place of birth: Petah Tikva, Israel
Coaching career: Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, Maccabi
Tel-Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Israel, Chelsea, Portsmouth

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Avram Grant confirmed as West Ham boss
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have appointed Avram Grant as the club's new manager on a four-year
contract, subject to a work permit. Grant, 55, succeeds Gianfranco Zola who
was sacked after the Hammers finished 17th in the Premier League. The
Israeli led Portsmouth to this season's FA Cup final, where they were beaten
1-0 by Chelsea. He has also spent one season in charge at Chelsea, guiding
them to the 2008 Champions League final, where they lost on penalties to
Manchester United. Speaking on Wednesday, before the appointment was
confirmed, West Ham co-chairman David Gold told BBC Sport: "After an hour,
we knew we could work with this manager. We are very optimistic. "I think
it's time for the football club to get some stability with people that have
been there, done that and got the T-shirt. "The bottom line is the
relationship between the manager and the chairman is critical. In our case
it's two chairmen so it's even more difficult as you need to have a
relationship between three people."
West Ham's owners want Grant to improve a squad which finished in 17th
position in the Premier League, one place above the relegation zone, with 35
points from 38 matches.
"We can't put our fans through that again. We want to put together a team
that was better than last year," said Gold. "We were very fortunate.
Normally 35 points gets you relegated. "What we need is a manager who has
achieved, has experience. We are not in a position where we can take on
young, inexperienced managers."
Gold said he hoped the appointment, subject to the relative formality of
Grant being granted a work permit, would herald a new era for West Ham,
which includes a possible move to the new Olympic Stadium in east London
after the 2012 Games. "The vibes from the politicians are this is the
perfect fit," said Gold of the potential for the Hammers to relocate from
the Boleyn Ground to Stratford. "What changed all this was spending a day at
the stadium at the beginning of May. "Let me tell you not many people have
seen what we have seen. This stadium is going to be as iconic, in my view,
as Wembley Stadium."
Grant is likely to bring in his own support team, and Zola's assistant Steve
Clarke - who worked with the Israeli at Chelsea - is not expected to have a
role at Upton Park.
West Ham had finished ninth under Zola in the 2008-09 campaign but struggled
last season with off-pitch turmoil and a prolonged takeover battle. "We did
ask Franco to keep us up and he did that, but I think we need to move on
from that. New owners like to choose their own people," said Gold. Gold and
Sullivan said the club had £110m debts when they took over in January. The
pair - together with Karren Brady - had previously been in charge for 16
years at Birmingham City where Barry Fry, Trevor Francis, Steve Bruce and
Alex McLeish were their managerial appointments. "We are over the worst at
West Ham, we've found most of the skeletons in the cupboard and are looking
forward to a bright, exciting future," said former Hammers youth player
Gold.

AVRAM GRANT FACTFILE
1986-2002: Managed Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa and
Maccabi Haifa in Israel
2002-06 Israel national manager
2006 Director of football, Portsmouth
2007-08 Director of football, then manager, Chelsea
2009-10 Director of football, then manager, Portsmouth

"There are still many problems and most of all is the debt at the football
club. "We believe it is a great club and we can turn this round." He added:
"I've been 17 years in football and I know the critical thing in any
football club are the principles and the manager. "We got it right with
Steve Bruce. We got it right with Alex McLeish. "Like all managers, our new
manager will bring his own people in, and we are comfortable with that."
Grant may well turn to his former club Portsmouth for recruits after their
relegation to the Championship following a season which saw the club docked
nine points for going into administration. The current West Ham squad boasts
goalkeeper Robert Green, centre-half Matthew Upson, midfielder Scott Parker
and striker Carlton Cole as players who have been capped by England. Several
younger players, such as defender James Tomkins, midfielders Mark Noble and
Jack Collison and strikers Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines, have progressed
from the club's famed academy. Given the club's debts, Grant is seen as a
perfect candidate for operating in the transfer market with a limited
budget. He is unlikely to be handed a huge transfer kitty, but will be
eyeing moves both in and out of Upton Park, with the squad due to report
back for pre-season training on 5 July. West Ham have narrowly escaped
relegation twice in the last four seasons, and the new owners are hoping for
a more stable period. "I've been a fan for as long as I can remember and
still am, and we fans are very demanding," said Gold. Gold and Sullivan
announced last month they were increasing their holding in the club from 50%
to 60% with an injection of £4m each. "We've added another £8m which shows
our integrity and intent. We've got to rebuild the club and its
infrastructure," said Gold. "What fans have to do is trust their principles
and trust their chairmen. These chairmen put their money where their mouths
are."

Grant arrived as Portsmouth's director of football in October 2009 but
replaced Paul Hart as manager the following month, with the club bottom of
the league with just seven points from 13 games. Crippled by financial
problems, the club went into administration in February and were
subsequently deducted nine points by the Premier League. They went on to
finish bottom of the table on 19 points but reached the FA Cup final, losing
the Wembley showpiece 1-0 to Grant's former club Chelsea. He won 10, lost 16
and drew seven of his 33 matches in charge. Grant announced his decision to
leave the beaten FA Cup finalists in an open letter to fans. "This was one
of the most difficult decisions I've had to take in my football career," he
said. "I will never forget you, the loyal fans of Pompey, who, without a
doubt, helped me protect the team under such complex circumstances," he
said.

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Grant confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd June 2010
By: Staff Writer

Avram Grant has been confirmed as the new manager of West Ham United FC.
Subject to a work permit, which the club have been awaiting for several
days, the Israeli boss is the club's 13th full time manager having signed a
four-year deal to succeed Gianfranco Zola. Talking to whufc.com, Grant said:
"I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It will be an
exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best. "This is a fantastic club
with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I am
already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and
preparing for the new season." Joint chairman David Sullivan welcomed the
arrival of Grant, adding: "I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and
am confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this
appointment and are certain we have got the right man.
"We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and
Avram's arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism." Sullivan's
partner David Gold said: "I have to say that having met Avram and spent some
time with him that we have got our man. He is a perfect fit. "We needed
experience and stability. He is a footballing man and quite frankly his
reputation speaks for itself. He has a great sense of humour and I am sure
the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him." We'll have
more reaction to Grant's appointment throughout the day.

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Grant named Hammers boss
Former Pompey and Chelsea manager handed four-year deal
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 3rd June 2010
SSN

Avram Grant has been confirmed as the new manager of West Ham and has agreed
a four-year deal with the Upton Park club, subject to a work permit. The
former Portsmouth and Chelsea manager emerged as the hot favourite to take
charge of the East London club following Gianfranco Zola's departure at the
end of the season. Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan put
together a four-man shortlist for the role, which also included Blackburn
boss Sam Allardyce, Cardiff manager Dave Jones and Blackpool's Ian Holloway.
But Israeli Grant was always the stand-out candidate and took a significant
step closer to the job when he parted company with Pompey late last month.
The 57-year-old earned praise from all quarters as he guided the stricken
South Coast club to the FA Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by
Chelsea, but was unable to prevent relegation to the Championship following
a nine-point deduction for going into administration. He inherits a West Ham
side which only narrowly avoided the drop last season, a miserable campaign
which cost Zola his job following a number of very public spats with
Sullivan and Gold.
Grant told the club's official website: "I am proud and honoured to be the
manager of West Ham. It will be an exciting challenge and I am ready to do
my best. "This is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is
respected around the world. I am already looking forward to getting to work
with my players in July and preparing for the new season."
Co-owners Gold and Sullivan were united in their praise for a man they hope
will help guide the Hammers to success in the new season and beyond. Gold
said: "I have to say that having met Avram and spent some time with him that
we have got our man. He is a perfect fit. "We needed experience and
stability. He is a footballing man and quite frankly his reputation speaks
for itself. He has a great sense of humour and I am sure the players will
relate to him and the fans will warm to him." And Sullivan added: "I am
delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a
success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we
have got the right man.
"We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and
Avram's arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism."

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GRANT CONFIRMED AS WEST HAM MANAGER
LMA

Avram Grant has been appointed as the new manager of West Ham United. A
statement on the club website read; West Ham United are delighted to confirm
the appointment of Avram Grant as manager on a four-year contract, subject
to being granted a work permit. "Ahead of being officially unveiled later
this month, Grant said: "I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West
Ham. It will be an exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best. "This is
a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the
world. I am already looking forward to getting to work with my players in
July and preparing for the new season." He has been welcomed to the club by
the chairmen, with all looking forward to a busy summer and 2010/11 season
ahead - the "beginning of a new era at West Ham United".

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Grant is the New Manager: Confirmed
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Avram Grant as manager on a four year
contract. It's said to be worth £4 million with a substantial pay on results
element. Grant will not be able to start work until his work permit comes
through, but that is thought to be a formality. There's no doubting Avram
Grant's pedigree, but I have to admit I have some reservations about his
qualification to manage a team like West Ham. He's incredibly dour and I
think it will take him some time to establish a rapport with the fans. We
like managers who are ebullient and wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Grant is the polar opposite of that. But the main thing is that he must be
allowed to do something which Gianfranco Zola never had the opportunity to
do – build his own team. I suspect we will see a lot of comings and goings
over the next few weeks.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 3rd June 2010

Get the story of the season
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker was the man of the 2009/10 campaign and you can relive all of
his heroic highs on DVD
03.06.2010

West Ham United fans can get their hands on the 2009/10 season DVD in store
and online today Priced at £13, the DVD will exclusively available at the
club's Stadium and Lakeside stores or from the whufc.com Megastore until
Sunday 13 June. With every victory and every goal covered, it is the
definitive story of the Hammers season.

Scott Parker's stunning form stood out in a 2009/10 campaign that proved
tough in many ways for West Ham United. Ultimately, however, the Hammers
overcame the challenges that were laid in front of them and, with new
chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold at the helm, ensured their Barclays
Premier League survival.

On the pitch, the talismanic Parker, whose fantastic goal in the 3-2 home
victory over Wigan Athletic all but assured the club's top-flight future,
led the way. While the lows may have outweighed the highs, the form of
Robert Green and Carlton Cole, the continued emergence of youngsters like
Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas and long-term financial stability all point
to a better, brighter future for West Ham United.

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Hammers flying the flag
WHUFC.com
England will have strong West Ham United representation, much to the delight
of the club chairman
03.06.2010

Robert Green and Matthew Upson were touching down in South Africa on
Thursday with the best FIFA World Cup wishes of West Ham United fans
everywhere. The duo were a proud part of Fabio Capello's 23-man squad that
left Heathrow Airport aboard a Virgin plane bound for Johannesburg on
Wednesday night. Upon landing, the delegation were heading off to the Three
Lions' base in Rustenburg. The city will also be the venue for England's
opening Group C match against the United States on Saturday week.

West Ham United chairman David Gold led the messages of support for the
Hammers duo, who have featured regularly under Capello in qualifying. "I am
thrilled for Robert and Matthew," he said. "They are two great ambassadors
for the club in the true West Ham spirit and indeed for England. They are
proper gentlemen and conduct themselves well on and off the pitch."

While eight others in Capello's squad have West Ham connections - captain
Rio Ferdinand, David James, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Michael Carrick, Frank
Lampard, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe - the chairman was disappointed that
Scott Parker and Carlton Cole both had to stay behind. "I am sorry for Scott
that he missed out in the end. I just wished we could have had three players
at the finals so that we could have emulated the 1966 ideal with Bobby
Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst lifting the trophy. "I can only say to
Scott that if I was the England manager I would have taken him. He should
take it as a positive that he got so close. We have seen him week in and
week out and we know what a player he is. They talk about players that turn
matches and Scott Parker is one of those players. "You could say the same
for Carlton as well. While I am disappointed for both of them, the upside is
that they will be stronger and more resilient to our new season which is
going to be very important. It is the beginning of a new era at West Ham
United."

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Specs' case for the defence
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector insists the US will be prepared for Fabio Capello's England
come 12 June
03.06.2010

West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector insists the United States will be
ready for England come their FIFA World Cup Group C meeting in Rustenburg on
12 June. The Americans have come under scrutiny in some quarters in recent
months following a series of unconvincing displays in warm-up friendlies.
Bob Bradley's squad have been beaten by Honduras, the Netherlands and the
Czech Republic and failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the five matches
they have contested since the turn of the year, leading to criticism.
However, Spector, who did not play against Honduras or the Czechs, said he
and his fellow defenders would be working hard to put things right before
their meeting with England. "We'll be working in training as a unit. We'll
be watching video of the games to see where we went wrong, whether it be
positionally or individually," said Spector, speaking from the US team base
at the rural Irene Country Lodge in South Africa. "Diagrams, things like
that, all are extremely helpful, but I think it takes a little bit of time
just to get used to playing with one another again. "We all come from
different systems with our club teams and fortunately, you know, we've laid
the groundwork in the past for working together, but it does take a little
bit of time just to get adjusted and become kind of in synch with each
other. "It's not really a concern of ours. I know we're going to get there.
but as I said, it will take a little bit of time."

Spector has been handed the No2 shirt for this summer's World Cup, with his
major rival for the right-back berth, Steve Cherundolo, being allocated the
No6.

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Shilton: 'Green should be England's No.1'
Published 23:00 02/06/10 By John Cross
The Mirror

Peter Shilton is backing Rob Green to be England's best choice for South
Africa. Former Arsenal keeper David Seaman believes David James should be
No.1, but Green gets Shilton's vote as he has been more consistent, while he
believes James may still be vulnerable. The man who won 125 caps between the
sticks for England said: "David is the most naturally gifted keeper we've
probably ever produced. But we don't have someone who stands out a mile as
No.1. "But I look at Green and he hasn't done a lot wrong, to be honest.
He's been consistent and you feel you could trust him."

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Hammers co-owner David Gold says: Within an hour of meeting Grant we knew we
could work with him
Published 23:00 02/06/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

AVRAM GRANT is expected to be appointed as West Ham's new boss today. The
Israeli will confirm one of the biggest open secrets in the Premier League
when he pens a four-year deal to become Gianfranco Zola's successor at Upton
Park. And his first task will be to persuade disillusioned skipper Scott
Parker his future lies at the club. Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan
insist the midfielder is the only player they will not listen to offers for.
But a number of clubs, including Liverpool, are said to be keen on Parker,
who is despondent after being cut from Fabio Capello's World Cup squad
without playing a single minute of England's two warm-up games. Gold said
yesterday: "After an hour (of meeting Grant), we knew we could work with
this manager. We are very optimistic. "It's time for the football club to
get some stability with people that have been there, done that and got the
T-shirt. The relationship between the manager and the chairman is critical.
"In our case it's two chairmen so it's even more difficult."
Grant will be tasked with ensuring there is no repeat of the relegation
threat which made for such a dramatic campaign at the Hammers. Gold added:
"We can't put our fans through that again. We want to put together a team
that is better than last year. We were very fortunate. Normally 35 points
gets you relegated. "What we need is a manager who has achieved, has
­experience. We are not in a position where we can take on young,
inexperienced managers."
A statement on the Hammers website said last night: "West Ham will make a
formal announcement of the club's new manager within 24 hours. 'The club
have been conducting a thorough recruitment programme and made excellent
progress. ''The squad are set to report back for pre-season training on July
5, meaning the new manager will have plenty of time to put together his
squad.'' Portugal winger Luis Boa Morte has been offered a new deal in a
shock U-turn by the club. He returned in April after nine months out with a
serious knee injury. But he had looked to be on the way out after
criticising the co-owners' in a TV ­interview. But Grant has requested he be
kept on. The club are releasing strikers Ilan and Mido.

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A Player at the Crossroads?
West Ham Till I Die

It must be a massive personal disappointment for Benni McCarthy to be
excluded from the SA squad, playing in a WC Finals hosted in his homeland.
McCarthy is his country's top goal scorer and probably its greatest export
to European football. In his time at FC Porto he won titles and regularly
played in the Champions League, winning the competition in 2004 under the
management of Jose Mourinho.

It is a great pity that Alan Pardew's deal for McCarthy in 2005-06 broke
down. He would have been an ideal signing for the club. Instead, FC Porto
turned down a £6m fee, (their then manager claiming McCarthy was too good
to sign for us!), only to sell him, a season or so later, to mighty
Blackburn Rovers for a mere c.£2m. That was certainly a good bit of
business by the Portuguese club!!!!

Nevertheless, he went on to do well in the PL. When we finally signed him
last January it become clear that there was a legacy of poor fitness from a
lack of playing time in his final months at Blackburn. This was the
immediate issue that had to addressed by the coaching staff on his arrival
at the club. Unfortunately, as we all know, he came close to being the goal
scoring hero on his West Ham debut at Burnley, only to pick up a knee injury
later in the game. That injury, and the lengthy lay off that followed,
finished his season and set in train the course of events that ultimately
led to his exclusion from the WC Finals.

However, it will now be interesting to see how McCarthy responds to this set
back? I hope that he responds positively by training and shedding his
excess weight over the summer. When he returns to the club in July, he
needs to exhibit good initial levels of fitness. That way, he can push on
to achieve match fitness much sooner and then concentrate upon his form.

In that sense, he has probably reached a crossroads at the club. If he
takes the right road he can still go on to prove his worth. Even at 32,
McCarthy is a class act, who has excellent technique and finishing ability.
Next season he could provide a vastly experienced striking option, coming on
from the bench and pushing Carlton Cole for a starting spot. It has
recently been alleged that an issue with Cole's knees means that he could,
in future, be restricted to playing 30 matches or less per season. If
true, then there will be an even greater imperative to have effective,
alternative options up front .

McCarthy is also a player that our young strikers like Hines, Sears and
Nouble can learn from. After all, he is a striker that played
successfully in the Champions League for a number of years. Which of our
other current strikers can say as much?

As for the alternative road, we all know where that is likely to lead.
David Sullivan was quoted, in a recent newspaper article, criticising
McCarthy's Body Mass Index (BMI), so it is likely that he will be under
close scrutiny when he reports back fo pre-season training. The Co-Chairmen
are unlikely to want to continue paying c.£40,000 a week in wages to a
striker that cannot achieve full fitness! And really, who can blame them?

McCarthy now has a point to prove to the club and the supporters. He needs
to show that he is capable of making a positive contribution next season.
Yes, there will be initial skepticism from sections of the fans. He will
probably get the same kind of stick that Faubert and Boa Morte have both
received in their time. However, as in the case of Faubert and the
Portuguese Pele, the emphasis is upon McCarthy to win them over with his
commitment, performances and goals next season.

Elsewhere, it looks like Avram Grant's appointment as the new West Ham
manager will be confirmed later today. It will be interesting to learn
something of his immediate summer transfer plans and longer term ambitions
for the club.

I must admit to having reservations about the appointment. However, once in
post, it is only fair to give any new manager a chance. I wish Avram Grant
well, because we certainly need greater stability and much improved results
next season.

However, I do expect him to achieve that playing good football, whilst
continuing to develop youngsters such as Daprela, Tomkins, Spence,
Stanislas, Hines and Nouble. Is that expecting too much? Not at all. If
he is not yet aware how important these things are to Hammers supporters,
then rest assured, he soon will be!

SJ. Chandos.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com