WHUFC.com
New manager Avram Grant has visited the club's training ground and met some
of his staff
10.06.2010
Avram Grant has paid his first visit to Chadwell Heath after being
officially confirmed as West Ham United manager. Fresh from getting the
green light to start work, Grant visited the club's training ground. There,
he spoke to staff members about his plans and vision for the future of the
club. The 55-year-old was also taken on a tour of the facilities, viewing
the newly re-laid training pitches, gymnasiums, medical treatment rooms, the
canteen, indoor pitch and media centre. Grant was in good spirits, having
had his work permit application rubber-stamped by the Home Office on Tuesday
evening. "I am very happy to be able to start work," said the manager.
"Everything is in place now to start work properly and I am looking forward
to it. It was good to be at the training ground at last and meet the staff."
The manager will spend the next three weeks preparing for the start of
pre-season on Monday 5 July. He was "delighted" to have already added
Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger to the squad and has identified other
areas in need of strengthening. Grant added: "I can't wait for July because
I like to work on the pitch. The next two or three weeks is important
because we can sign players, take care off the staff and get everything in
place for the start of training."
Vastly experienced in European and international football, the manager is
well aware of the standing of the club at home and abroad. He has pledged to
take the club forward in a respectful way. "This is a club with a lot of
history," he said. "It is a big history but our face is now for the future.
It is right that we remember and respect the tradition of the club but our
target is to move forward. We will play attacking football but attack with
intelligence and balance. This is what the fans expect and how we want to
develop."
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World Cup Hammers - 80s
WHUFC.com
Trevor Brooking, Alvin Martin and Frank McAvennie all experienced the finals
during this decade
10.06.2010
The 1980s saw the FIFA World Cup finals head to Spain 1982 and Mexico 1986
and mixed fortunes for the West Ham United contingent. Club legend Ron
Greenwood had the honour of guiding England to the 1982 tournament, where he
was reunited with Trevor Brooking. Alvin Martin and Frank McAvennie, two of
the stars of the 1985/86 third-place finish, were on the plane to Mexico at
the end of that season.
Ron Greenwood was the man who took England back to the World Cup after the
failures of 1974 and 1978 with qualification for the 1982 finals. After
transforming West Ham United into a club with a global reputation, Greenwood
was tasked with leading England's charge to Spain 1982. They made a strong
start with future Hammers goalkeeper Peter Shilton conceding just one goal
in Group Four as France (3-1), Czechoslovakia (2-0) and Kuwait (1-0) all
fell by the wayside. As England prepared to face West Germany and Spain in
the second stage, Group B, Greenwood was desperately hoping that Kevin
Keegan (back) and club legend Trevor Brooking (groin) would finally overcome
the injuries that had prevented them from kicking a ball in any of their
country's first four matches. Following a goalless draw with the Germans,
though, it was now win or bust against the hosts. Greenwood needed a
two-goal victory to qualify for the semi-finals. And with the match
deadlocked at 0-0, he knew he had to gamble with his telepathic duo. "I
decided to play my two trump cards," wrote the England boss in his
autobiography Yours Sincerely, recounting the moment when he called for
Keegan and Brooking. "I signalled to both Brooking and Keegan that I wanted
them on and, with 27 minutes left, they stepped into football's biggest
event for the first time in their long careers. It was a marvellous moment
for them - and for me too. "Neither was perfectly fit but, at this point,
risks were worth taking. And both could have scored. Keegan headed wide and
Brooking, who immediately injected new skill into the game, made his own
opening but somehow the Spanish keeper Luis Arconada managed to get in the
way. Spain nil, England nil. It was all over. "We hadn't been able to use
Brooking or Keegan who were the engine of our side and that was a tragedy
because we would've gone all the way with those two."
Instead, the dejected Three Lions headed for home still unbeaten in five
matches, while the Germans progressed all the way to the final where they
lost 3-1 to Italy. "The 1982 World Cup was probably one of the biggest
disappointments of my career," admitted Sir Trevor, who won the last of 47
England caps with that late outing in Madrid. "Having got to Spain, it was
my last opportunity to play in the tournament and it was so frustrating to
have been kept out with a groin injury until half-hour from the end of the
final game."
Four years later and, after finishing a record-breaking 1985/86 season with
that best-ever third-place finish, several members of the West Ham United
squad had justifiable claims to be on the plane to the World Cup finals in
Mexico later that summer. As it happened, only England's Alvin Martin and
Scotland's Frank McAvennie eventually made it to Mexico, alongside future
Hammers Jimmy Quinn (Northern Ireland), Paulo Futre (Portugal) and 1996 loan
signing Shilton. Sadly, neither the Scot nor the Scouser was destined to see
too much action. In Group E, McAvennie twice stepped from the bench in
Scotland's defeats against Denmark (1-0) and West Germany (2-1) before being
totally overlooked by manager Alex Ferguson in the 0-0 draw with Uruguay
that ended his country's challenge. "I don't know why Fergie didn't give me
more of a chance" said the blond bombshell after exploding on to the scene
with 28 league and cup goals in his first season south of the border. "I
didn't have a bust-up with him or anything like that. "But he knew that I
had the hump after only being substitute for the first two matches, so he
left me out of the third one completely. Charlie Nicholas and myself
should've been the main strikers but he picked the likes of Paul Sturrock
and Steve Archibald instead. "It didn't make sense to most people and, after
the season I'd had with West Ham, I was very disappointed. "Even though he
later called me a 'maniac' in his book, I'm privileged that Fergie took me
to a World Cup. It's an experience that the likes of George Best and Ryan
Giggs never had."
England did, however, scrape into the second round thanks to Gary Lineker's
hat-trick against Poland (3-0), following lacklustre Group F openers against
both Portugal (1-0) and Morocco (0-0). In the last 16, the 17-times capped
central defender was finally called into action. "I thoroughly enjoyed
playing against Paraguay," revealed Martin after seeing two-goal Lineker and
room-mate Peter Beardsley seal a 3-0 victory and a quarter-final meeting
with Argentina. "Terry Butcher and myself knew that we had completed a good
job. There was camaraderie between us and we felt the partnership was right.
We had beaten Paraguay 3-0 and looked good doing it, too. "Bobby Robson was
pleased with us all and in the next few days I was convinced that I'd be in
the team for the quarter-final. The manager had praised the back-four, in
particular, and I was absolutely sure I was going to keep my place. All my
interviews with the press were about how I hoped to deal with Maradona. "The
team meeting was on the night before the game and Robson opened by saying:
'The team is going to be the same.' I relaxed in my seat - but the next few
words delivered from the manager's mouth shattered me. He continued:
'...except for one change. I'm going to bring Terry Fenwick back for Alvin
Martin.' I felt totally stunned."
Indeed, the midnight horror he had experienced when mistakenly drinking
Beardsley's denture water a few days earlier was nothing compared to the
shock just delivered by the England boss. "Speechless, I glanced around the
room and a couple of the lads just looked at me and shrugged. The fact that
my fellow professionals couldn't believe it made me feel worse. "Looking
back, I think Bobby Robson made a mistake dropping me, although we'll never
know," insisted Alvin, who sat helplessly on the sidelines as two-goal
Maradona undone England with that infamous 'hand of God' effort before
settling it with a sensational solo run in a 2-1 win for eventual tournament
victors, Argentina. "The handball tended to overshadow everything else about
the game but deep down we knew the South Americans were better on the day
and they were worthy winners of the tournament, too."
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Watching brief for Green
WHUFC.com
The England goalkeeper will be a keen observer when Mexico begin the FIFA
World Cup on Friday
10.06.2010
The 2010 FIFA World Cup is final almost upon us and Robert Green is tipping
Mexico to get things off to a flier. The West Ham United goalkeeper is
hoping to be England's No1 on Saturday night when they begin against Group C
rivals United States. Before then, though, he will be watching closely on TV
on Friday when hosts South Africa take on Mexico. Green got a good look at
the Mexicans when England won their Wembley send-off match 3-1 on 24 May. He
believes the Central Americans could do well at the finals, where they have
also been drawn to face France and Uruguay in Group A. "We expected a hard
game against Mexico because they are a quality side with a lot of good
players," said Green. "Obviously I'd spoken to Guillermo Franco a lot about
the side and he's really excited about playing in the World Cup for Mexico.
"He was saying they have good young players, maybe lacking a bit in
experience for a major tournament, but the qualities they have were fairly
evident at Wembley. We were tested and it was pleasing in that respect. I'm
sure the Mexican fans will enjoy the World Cup."
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Gianfranco Zola & West Ham reach settlement
BBC.co.uk
Gianfranco Zola has agreed a compensation settlement with West Ham United
following his sacking in May. The Italian was relieved of his duties as
manager following a poor Premier League season and replaced with former
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant on 3 June. "I will always be very grateful to
the club for giving me the opportunity to manage in the Premier League,"
said Zola, 43, in a statement. Zola's assistant Steve Clarke has also left
the club by mutual consent. Zola took over at Upton Park following Alan
Curbishley's resignation in September 2008, guiding the club to an
impressive ninth place in the Premier League. He signed a four-year deal
with the Hammers in April 2009 reported to be worth £1.6m a year but only
just managed to keep his side in the Premier League last season, with the
Hammers finishing one place above the relegation zone.
The former Chelsea favourite still had three years to run on that deal when
he was sacked by West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold, who took
over at the start of the year. However, the ex-Italy striker has negotiated
a settlement with the assistance of the League Managers' Association. "I
would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the players, staff and fans
who supported me so well during my time at the club and I wish them every
success for the future," added Zola. "I would also like to thank the LMA for
their support and hard work during the difficult period of my contract
termination process. "I am looking forward to finding a new challenge in the
game and returning to management as soon as possible."
A statement from West Ham read: "West Ham United would like to thank
Gianfranco Zola for his efforts during his time at the club. "We would like
to thank both him and the LMA for their professionalism in reaching a
satisfactory settlement and we wish Gianfranco well for the future."
Gold said: "I'm delighted we've managed to come to an agreement with Franco.
"I really do wish him the very best of luck. He's one of the nicest people
in football that I have worked with and I'm sure he's got a future in
management at the top level. "He has a style which suits certain clubs and I
am sure that we'll see him about in football in no time at all."
Clarke, who arrived as first-team coach arrived in September 2008, said: "I
have enjoyed my time at West Ham. "I was looking for a fresh challenge in
football before I arrived and certainly got that. "It was a good experience
which will help me in the future. I would particularly like to thank the
fans for all their support and the players and staff for their efforts. "I
will follow the club's progress with interest and I am sure, with the new
stability off the pitch, that the team will have every opportunity to do
well next season."
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Zola set for new challenge
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Former boss Gianfranco Zola says that he is looking forward to getting back
into football after the club agreed to settle his dismissal case out of
court. Zola, who was fired at the end of May in a brief meeting by Karren
Brady, acting on behalf of chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold was
delighted to haved resolved the case - and insisted that he is determined to
return to management sooner rather than later. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time
at West Ham United and I will always be very grateful to the club for giving
me the opportunity, especially at a club with such a great tradition in
positive and attractive football," he said. "I am looking forward to finding
a new challenge in the game and returning to management as soon as
possible."
Zola also thanked the club's supporters who stuck by him throughout a
difficult 2009/10 season, adding: "I would like to offer my sincere thanks
to all of the players, staff and fans who supported me so well during my
time at the club. "I wish them every success for the future."
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Apam could shun Hammers
Nigerian keen on France stay
Last updated: 10th June 2010
SSN
Onyekachi Apam has suggested he may shun a move to England to stay in
France. West Ham have been linked with the Nice defender, who can play
right-back or centre-half.
Apam was named in Nigeria's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, but
he failed to make the cut due to injury. ow he is looking to his own future
and a number of clubs are understood to be tracking him. Rennes, who have
sold Petter Hansson to Monaco, are very keen on him and Apam admits he could
be tempted. "After four years at the club, I want to leave Nice for the
next level in my career," said Apam. "I learned a lot during these four
seasons at Nice, but the latter was more difficult with injuries and a whole
season to play the continuation. I want to see something else, even
progress." Asked about where he would like to move, he said: "I do not
really have a preference, I like both clubs. "But Rennes is a team with
ambition and I want to stay in France to continue to grow. "Also, in
Rennes, I know Frederic Antonetti - he was my coach for three seasons at
Nice. "I have the chance to work with him because he is a coach who made me
grow a lot, it gave me confidence in my abilities. I have no priority
between Rennes and West Ham, but Rennes is interesting." Apam admits he was
frustrated not to make it to South Africa. "I hurt my right knee and I'm
going to miss the World Cup because of it. It's frustrating, but I'm young
and I hope to have the opportunity to play next time," he said.
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Clarke leaves Hammers
Zola also agrees financial settlement over sacking
Last updated: 10th June 2010
SSN
West Ham have confirmed assistant manager Steve Clarke has left his role at
Upton Park, while the club have reached a financial settlement with
Gianfranco Zola. Clarke has quit West Ham following Avram Grant's
appointment as Zola's successor at the East London outfit. Zola was sacked
after the end of the season despite keeping the Hammers in the Premier
League and Clarke has now joined his former Chelsea team-mate in moving on.
Clarke told the club's official website: "I have enjoyed my time at West
Ham. I was looking for a fresh challenge in football before I arrived and
certainly got that. "It was a good experience which will help me in the
future. I would particularly like to thank the fans for all their support
and the players and staff for their efforts. "I will follow the club's
progress with interest and I am sure, with the new stability off the pitch,
that the team will have every opportunity to do well next season."
Meanwhile, Zola is eyeing a quick return to management after thrashing out a
settlement with West Ham over his dismissal. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time
at West Ham and I will always be very grateful to the club for giving me the
opportunity to manage in the Barclays Premier League, especially at a club
with such a great tradition in positive and attractive football," said Zola.
"I am looking forward to finding a new challenge in the game and returning
to management as soon as possible. "I would like to offer my sincere thanks
to all of the players, staff and fans who supported me so well during my
time at the club and I wish them every success for the future. "I would also
like to thank the League Managers Association for their support and hard
work during the difficult period of my contract termination process."
A statement from West Ham concluded: "West Ham United would like to thank
Gianfranco Zola for his efforts during his time at the club. "We would like
to thank both him and the LMA for their professionalism in reaching a
satisfactory settlement and we wish Gianfranco well for the future."
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HARRY REDKNAPP KEEN ON CARLTON COLE
Daily Star
11th June 2010 By Sami Mokbel
SPURS have contacted West Ham over the availability of £10m-rated Carlton
Cole. England striker Cole, 26, has been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal,
Stoke and Birmingham, prompting boss Harry Redknapp to make an early
approach. Cole made an impressive start to last season, ending up with 10
goals as the Hammers just stayed up. Redknapp wants to boost his strike
force ahead of Spurs' Champions League campaign and Wolfsburg striker Edin
Dzeko, Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano and Palermo's Edinson Cavani also
feature on his hitlist.
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West Ham assistant manager Steve Clarke leaves Upton Park
West Ham have confirmed that assistant manager Steve Clarke has parted
company with the club by mutual consent after nearly two years at Upton
Park.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 2:26PM BST 10 Jun 2010
Clarke arrived in Sept 2008 as assistant to Gianfranco Zola. "I have enjoyed
my time at West Ham," said Clarke. "I was looking for a fresh challenge in
football before I arrived and certainly got that. Guillermo Franco to leave
West Ham "It was a good experience which will help me in the future. I would
particularly like to thank the fans for all their support and the players
and staff for their efforts. "I will follow the club's progress with
interest and I am sure, with the new stability off the pitch, that the team
will have every opportunity to do well next season." Zola has set his sights
on a quick return to management after finally reaching a satisfactory
financial settlement with West Ham. Zola was sacked after the end of the
season despite keeping the club in the Premier League. West Ham have since
appointed former Portsmouth manager Avram Grant as Zola's successor. It was
Zola's first managerial post and, although he enjoyed a fine first season,
guiding the club to a ninth-placed finish and earning a new four-year
contract, West Ham struggled to avoid relegation last term. David Gold and
David Sullivan took over the club in January and Zola was apparently on
borrowed time. A number of negative public comments from Sullivan did not
help Zola's situation and it was no surprise when the amiable Italian was
relieved of his post. But now Zola is looking forward to making a swift
return to management. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham and I will
always be very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to manage
in the Premier League, especially at a club with such a great tradition in
positive and attractive football," said Zola. "I am looking forward to
finding a new challenge in the game and returning to management as soon as
possible. "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the players,
staff and fans who supported me so well during my time at the club and I
wish them every success for the future. "I would also like to thank the
League Managers Association for their support and hard work during the
difficult period of my contract termination process."
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West Ham still in 'intensive care' - David Sullivan
Harry Harris, Soccernet Correspondent
June 10, 2010
ESPN
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has confessed that the East End club are
"in intensive care" with a debt mountain to manage. For that reason
Sullivan and his business partner David Gold are taking a hands-on approach
to the big financial issues, including the buying and selling of players
this summer, having now appointed Avram Grant as manager. Sullivan, together
with managing director Karren Brady, will run a tight ship regarding the
numerous comings and goings expected at Upton Park during the summer
transfer window. A financial report on the Premier League this week detailed
how clubs are spending more money on players and much too large a percentage
of their income on salaries and transfer fees, but many clubs, notably West
Ham, are making huge efforts to cut both areas to make their business far
more sustainable. Sullivan told Soccernet: "I am working hard at the moment.
You would think I am the unpaid director of football as well and a lot more.
Yes, I'm very hands on, involved with the club at all levels. The club is
still in intensive care and it needs our maximum care. "I'm involved with
Karren at every level, from ticket prices, to pre season friendlies, finding
new investors. Nothing of any significance happens at the cub without my
input."
Sullivan and Gold inherited debts of £110 million when they took control in
January and have been busy slashing those debts to around £95 million. The
balancing act for the new owners is to find the right players at the right
price, but also to sell stars such as Carlton Cole for what they believe to
be market value, having priced the England centre forward at £15 million,
and having put a a minimum fee of £12 million on his head. The futures of
Matthew Upson and Robert Green will be looked at when they return from World
Cup duty with England. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed assistant manager
Steve Clarke has left his role at Upton Park. Clarke told the club's
official website: "I have enjoyed my time at West Ham. I was looking for a
fresh challenge in football before I arrived and certainly got that. "It was
a good experience which will help me in the future. I would particularly
like to thank the fans for all their support and the players and staff for
their efforts. "I will follow the club's progress with interest and I am
sure, with the new stability off the pitch, that the team will have every
opportunity to do well next season."
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Steve Clarke leaves West Ham United by mutual consent
First team coach next out of the door at Upton Park...
By Kevin Emery
10 Jun 2010 15:28:00
Goal.com
West Ham United have confirmed that first team coach Steve Clarke has left
the club by mutual consent. Clarke is joining the Upton Park exodus and
follows former manager Gianfranco Zola out of the door after the club's poor
season which saw them only just escape relegation from the Premier League.
The first team coach, who has also held the same position at Chelsea, spent
nearly two years at the club, arriving in September 2008 as Zola's
assistant. Clarke said on the club's official website: "I have enjoyed my
time at West Ham. I was looking for a fresh challenge in football before I
arrived and certainly got that. "It was a good experience which will help me
in the future. I would particularly like to thank the fans for all their
support and the players and staff for their efforts. "I will follow the
club's progress with interest and I am sure, with the new stability off the
pitch, that the team will have every opportunity to do well next season."
The club said on their website: "We would like to thank Steve for his hard
work and commitment as well as wish him well for the future." New manager
Avram Grant was appointed last week and he is keen to bring his own backroom
staff to the club.
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