KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that West Ham's 14th full-time manager will not
be a novice. The Irons co-chairman, fresh from the fracas at Grosvenor House
Hotel last night insisted that the new man must be experienced - but must
also have 'knowledge' of West Ham. "We want a manager who will get the best
out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit," he told a popular
newspaper. "A winner. We want a new manager that has a proven record of
success. "We do need someone who understands the culture and if you get
someone with a knowledge of the East End that's so much better. I think
we'll definitely get an English manager, or a British manager. "We'll wait
to see who applies and wait to see what happens generally, but it will be
resolved within two weeks, I should think."
One man definitely ruled out is Paolo Di Canio, who announced his
availability last week. "My heart would say Paolo and the fans would say
Paolo," he continued. "But someone who's a complete novice as a manager,
with no experience, you just can't go with it. "The problem with Paolo is,
although the fans would love it, I'm being realistic and he has no
experience whatsoever being a manager. "If you look at first-season managers
the failure rate is enormous. If he'd done a season anywhere and was, say,
top of Serie B in Italy with a team, I'd take the chance. "
KUMB.com's Manager XIV poll is currently being ld by Martin O'Neill, with
Chris Hughton, Sam Allardyce and Tony Carr close behing. To cast your vote,
visit the poll thread here.
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Eye-witness accounts begin to emerge
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
A clearer picture of the events surrounding last night's dust-up at the
Grosvenor House Hotel are beginning to emerge. West Ham United's end of
season Gala was in the headlines this morning for all the wrong reasons
after an incident between the players and a group of supporters saw Police
called to the building.
Initial reports suggested that Demba Ba was involved in an argument with one
supporter after refusing to leave his dinner table in order to speak to the
supporter.
However another eye-witness claims that further players were involved - and
that, despite the club's attempts to play down events, it could have turned
very nasty.
"I don't know what the player said but the fella he was talking to was
livid," the eye-witness told constructionenquirer.com. "It all seemed to
happen near the tables hosted by this demolition firm. "I'm not sure where
it started but a few tables got caught up in things and it escalated from
there. Centre half Danny Gabbidon and the youth team were getting involved
but I don't think they realised who they were messing with. "There were
some big lumps on those tables and the players picked the wrong people to
argue with. "To some of the players it seemed like it was a chore to be
there and they couldn't wait to get home. You would have thought they'd have
been a bit more circumspect, given the sort of season we've had."
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Sullivan claims racial abuse
Hammers co-owner claims supporter 'let the club down'
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 10:29am
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says a player was racially abused at the
club's end-of-season dinner. The Hammers staged a party at the Grosvenor
House Hotel in central London on Monday night and invited fans to attend the
function. Trouble flared over the course of the evening, though, with
supporters clashing with players.
Police were called to the scene but no arrests were made. Sullivan was among
those in attendance and he alleges that one of the fans involved in the
fracas racially abused a member of the West Ham squad. He has criticised the
behaviour of the supporter in question, claiming he 'let the club down', but
says reports of a mass brawl breaking out have been 'blown out of
proportion'.
Unacceptable
He told Sky Sports News chief news reporter Bryan Swanson: "The whole
incident has been blown out of all proportion. It was one individual who had
too much to drink, sadly a problem in British society. "A player was
racially abused by the same drunken supporter, which is not acceptable.
Sadly one drunken supporter let the club down."
A West Ham spokesman confirmed to Sky Sports News that the event had been
attended by 800 people, with fans paying more than £250-a-head to support
the club.
The spokesman added that players had given autographs to supporters
throughout the evening. Tension around Upton Park has risen following the
club's relegation out of the Premier League on Sunday. A 3-2 defeat to Wigan
sealed the Hammers' fate and led to the dismissal of manager Avram Grant.
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Ba refutes signature snub
Hammers striker claims irate supporter was looking for a scuffle
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 12:05pm
SSN
Demba Ba has dismissed reports suggesting his confrontation with a fan was
sparked by an autograph snub. The West Ham striker, who moved to Upton Park
during the January transfer window, clashed with a supporter at the Hammers'
end-of-season dinner on Monday. It was alleged that Ba had upset the
supporter by refusing to sign an autograph, claiming he was 'too tired'. A
scuffle is then said to have broken out, with the police called to deal with
the incident at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Trouble
Ba, though, insists that he did not turn the autograph hunter away. Instead,
he claims the supporter in question was determined to cause trouble from the
moment he approached. The Senegal international wrote on his personal
Twitter account: "I did sign the autograph. I never refuse to sign autograph
to the fans. "He came to me saying he is tired to watch us play and was
looking for confrontation."
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Poyet - No Hammers approach
Seagulls boss not ruling out future move
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 12:03pm
SSN
Brighton boss Gus Poyet insists West Ham have not approached him over the
vacant manager's job at Upton Park. The Uruguayan is reportedly in the frame
to succeed Avram Grantat the East London club following his sacking on
Sunday after defeat at Wigan sealed the Hammers' relegation to the
Championship. Poyet's emergence as a potential candidate is no surprise
given his success with the Seagulls since his arrival in 2009, having
steered them to the League One title and promotion to the second tier this
season. And while the manager stopped short of pledging his long-term future
to Brighton, the 43-year-old is adamant West Ham have not been in touch
about the position.
Rumours
"I promise you at the moment there is nothing, just rumours," Poyet told Sky
Sports News. "Nothing at all. "I'd only really like to talk when there is an
approach, or a possibility or where there is something really important. "At
the moment I'm trying not to think about it because if not it's crazy."
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan revealed earlier on Tuesday that the club
were leaning towards the appointment of a British manager, meaning Poyet
could be ruled out. Fellow chairman David Gold has also said the club will
wait for potential candidates to apply, and Poyet is adamant that is
something he will not be doing.
"No chance," he added. "I can promise I will never apply for a job during my
time at another club, especially at a club like Brighton where I'm so happy
to be. "It would be really silly on my part to apply for any other job."
Former Uruguay midfielder Poyet insists he is currently focused on
strengthening his Brighton squad ahead of their impending Championship
campaign, but refused to rule out a future move away from the club. "I think
I need to keep concentrating on what I'm doing and trying to get the players
for Brighton," he said. "During the summer, it's a long summer. I'm sure
there are going to be some questions and some approaches from different
places.
Chance
"Especially when you do well. When you do badly nobody calls you but when
you do well you've got a chance." He added: "The best way is to get better
together. Maybe going up to the Premiership in a few years. "If we can't do
that then sometimes players move along, and sometimes the manager moves
along. That's football."
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Sullivan rules out Di Canio
Hammers chief says Italian does not have experience required
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 9:58am
SSN
David Sullivan has ruled out appointing Paolo Di Canio as the new manager of
West Ham. The 42-year-old Italian has been linked with the vacant post since
Avram Grant was shown the door on Sunday after the Hammers' relegation to
the Championship was confirmed. But the club's co-owner Sullivan says the
former Hammers striker does not fit the bill due to his lack of managerial
experience.
Realistic
He told Sky Sports News: "The problem with Paolo is, although the fans would
love it, I'm being realistic and he has no experience whatsoever being a
manager. "If you look at first-season managers the failure rate is enormous.
"If he'd done a season anywhere and was, say, top of Serie B in Italy with a
team, I'd take the chance.
"My heart would say Paolo and the fans would say Paolo. "But with someone
who's a complete novice as a manager, with no experience, you just can't go
with it."
Sullivan has revealed West Ham are leaning towards appointing a British
manager, with Chris Hughton,Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce among those
believed to be in the frame. He added: "I think we'll definitely get an
English manager, or a British manager. "We do need someone who understands
the culture and if you get someone with a knowledge of the East End that's
so much better. "Avram is a lovely person but the results sadly speak for
themselves that it was a bad selection by the board. " "We'll wait to see
who applies and wait to see what happens generally, but it will be resolved
within two weeks, I should think."
Bad selection
Sullivan admits appointing Grant as manager last summer was a 'bad
selection' after a dismal campaign. He said in The Sun: "Avram is a lovely
person but the results sadly speak for themselves that it was a bad
selection by the board. "We all share some blame for the results - the
board, the manager and the team. However, the team can only play the tactics
and formation they are asked to play. "We want a manager who will get the
best out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit."
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Poll Result: You Want Martin O'Neill!
May 17th, 2011 - 10:56 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Here are the results of the survey I launched yesterday morning. A massive
2,225 of you voted.
1. Who is your first choice to be the next manager of West Ham United?
1. Martin O'Neill 41%
2. Chris Hughton 12%
3. Slaven Bilic 9%
4. Paolo Di Canio 6%
5. Alan Curbishley 6%
All the other choices received less than 6%.
2. Which of these would you find acceptable as the next manager of West Ham?
( a list of around 20 choices followed).
1. Martin O'Neill 77%
2. Chris Hughton 60%
3. Slaven Bilic 59%
4. Paolo Di Canio 39%
5. Alan Curbishley 38%
6. Alan Pardew 35%
7. Tony Carr 31%
3. Which of these would find totally unacceptable as the next manager of
West Ham United? (A list of around 20 choices followed)
1. Neil Warnock 59%
2. Sam Allardyce 55%
3. Steve McLaren 52%
4. Alex McLeish 34%
5. Claudio Ranieri 35%
6. Malky Mackay 32%
7. Dave Jones 30%
Polls like this can never be truly representative, but it is quite clear
that Martin O'Neill is the clear choice of West Ham fans to be the next
manager of West Ham. Would he even consider the job after what happened last
time? Would he consider dropping down a division? I suppose it depends how
much he relishes a challenge.
I was slightly surprised by the strong showing of Chris Hughton in the poll.
Although he meets several of the criteria, and is a former West Ham player,
he just doesn't strike me as a natural born leader. I may live to eat my
words!
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Hammers after British boss
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM co-owner David Sullivan insists the club are looking to appoint a
British manager to replace Avram Grant. The Hammers' relegation from the
Premier League was confirmed on Sunday after they gave up a 2-0 lead at
fellow strugglers Wigan to lose 3-2. Yesterday, former England manager Steve
McClaren ruled himself out of the running, while the likes of Martin
O'Neill, Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton, Malky Mackay and Roberto Di Matteo
have all been linked with the vacancy.
Sullivan, however, suggested a move for another foreign coach was unlikely.
He said: "I think we will definitely get an English manager, or a British
manager. "We do need someone who understands the culture and if you get
someone with a knowledge of the East End that's so much better. "We will
wait to see who applies and wait to see what happens generally, but it will
be resolved within two weeks, I should think."
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Sullivan claims Hammers player racially abused by fan at club dinner
Published 11:26 17/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan claims one of his players was racially
abused at the club's end-of-season dinner. The event for players, club
officials and fans at the Grosvenor House Hotel erupted into violence last
night after a row between Demba Ba and supporters escalated. Ba brawl! West
Ham players clash with own supporters The abuse allegedly came after Ba
refused to sign an autograph for a fan, claiming he was 'too tired'. After
an angry exchange, there were ugly scenes with punches thrown as several
Hammers players came to Ba's aid. Security staff intervened to try to defuse
the situation but the supporters then began grappling with them as tables
were overturned and plates sent flying. One supporter was seen to have
high-kicked a vase off one table as the chaos grew. TV presenter Ben
Shepherd, a West Ham fan and host for the event, appealed desperately for
calm as fans refused to back down. But it was not until police arrived that
order was restored. He told Sky Sports News: "The whole incident has been
blown out of all proportion. It was one individual who had too much to
drink, sadly a problem in British society. "A player was racially abused by
the same drunken supporter, which is not acceptable. Sadly one drunken
supporter let the club down."
West Ham were relegated on Sunday after losing 3-2 to Wigan.
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West Ham hope to appoint British manager
By Jim van Wijk, PA
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
The Independent
West Ham expect to appoint a British manager to replace Avram Grant,
co-owner David Sullivan has claimed, ruling out a potential return to Upton
Park for fans favourite Paolo di Canio. The Hammers' relegation from the
Barclays Premier League was confirmed on Sunday after they squandered a 2-0
lead at fellow strugglers Wigan to lose 3-2. West Ham wasted no time in
removing Grant, the Israeli dismissed within an hour of the final whistle at
the DW Stadium.
Yesterday, former England manager Steve McClaren ruled himself out of the
running, while the likes of Martin O'Neill, whom the board tried to appoint
in January, Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton, Malky Mackay and Roberto di Matteo
have all been linked with the vacancy. Sullivan, however, suggested a move
for another foreign coach was unlikely. He told Sky Sports News: "I think we
will definitely get an English manager, or a British manager. "We do need
someone who understands the culture and if you get someone with a knowledge
of the East End that's so much better. "We will wait to see who applies and
wait to see what happens generally, but it will be resolved within two
weeks, I should think."
Sullivan admitted the appointment of former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager
Grant last summer following the dismissal of Gianfranco Zola was a "bad
selection" by the board. While di Canio, who achieved cult status during a
four year spell with the Irons from 1999 to 2003 and has a lounge named
after him at Upton Park, would certainly be a popular move with supporters,
Sullivan believes the 42-year-old Italian's lack of coaching experience
would make it difficult to justify ahead of life back in the npower
Championship. "The problem with Paolo is, although the fans would love it, I
am being realistic and he has no experience whatsoever being a manager,"
Sullivan added. "If you look at first-season managers the failure rate is
enormous. "If he had done a season anywhere and was, say, top of Serie B in
Italy with a team, I would take the chance. "My heart would say Paolo and
the fans would say Paolo - but with someone who's a complete novice as a
manager, with no experience, you just can't go with it."
Relegation is set to hit West Ham hard financially, but Sullivan maintains
he and co-owner David Gold, both life-long fans, would inject more cash to
keep the club afloat.
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Ba refutes signature snub
Tuesday 17th May 2011 12:04
TeamTalk
Demba Ba has dismissed reports suggesting his confrontation with a fan was
sparked by an autograph snub. The West Ham striker, who moved to Upton Park
during the January transfer window, clashed with a supporter at the Hammers'
end-of-season dinner on Monday. It was alleged that Ba had upset the
supporter by refusing to sign an autograph, claiming he was 'too tired'. A
scuffle is then said to have broken out, with the police called to deal with
the incident at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Ba, though, insists that he did not turn the autograph hunter away. Instead,
he claims the supporter in question was determined to cause trouble from the
moment he approached. The Senegal international wrote on his personal
Twitter account: "I did sign the autograph. I never refuse to sign autograph
to the fans. "He came to me saying he is tired to watch us play and was
looking for confrontation."
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