Daily WHUFC News - 1st May 2015

West Ham re-united with Umbro
WHUFC.com

West Ham United and Umbro are delighted to announce a new five-year commercial agreement which will see the legendary global sportswear company become the Club's official technical partner from next season, producing all the Hammers' official kits, from first team to youth level, as well as training products and leisure wear for players and fans.

This means Umbro will take on the historic task of producing the special commemorative kit that West Ham will wear for the Club's final season at the Boleyn Ground, as well as the kit the team will wear when playing for the first time at our magnificent new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Umbro have a long-standing association with West Ham, having produced the Club's first ever replica kits for sale to supporters during the 1960s, when they also famously designed the England kits worn by West Ham's World Cup winning heroes in 1966. Umbro were West Ham's official kit suppliers from 2007-10.

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "As we approach two historic seasons for West Ham United, we are delighted once again to team up with Umbro, a company which – like West Ham – is steeped in the heritage of English football but also a fast-growing global brand with an exciting future ahead.

"It is especially fitting that – during our final season at the Boleyn Ground – our players and fans will wear a brand synonymous with one of the finest moments in West Ham's rich history: England's 1966 World Cup triumph.

"It is our determination to bring back those glory days of the 1960s when we move to our magnificent new Stadium, and we look forward to doing so in partnership with Umbro, whose commitment to the highest standards of excellence and quality matches our own."

Paul Nugent, Vice President of Global Marketing for Umbro, added: "West Ham United is an incredibly exciting and significant signing for Umbro. This is a special period in the club's history and we are delighted to be part of it.

"We know the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be an emotional one and we have worked closely with the club – with input from Hammers fans – to create a memorable set of kits to commemorate the final season.

"Our kit designs for West Ham are unique to the club and celebrate the rich traditions of the club whilst incorporating all the modern performance properties required for today's game. We're looking forward to sharing our 2015/16 kits and hope players and fans will be proud to wear them both home and away."

Umbro already produce kits for dozens of major top-flight and international sides around the world, including Everton, PSV Eindhoven, Grêmio, FC Tokyo, Vasco da Gama and the Republic of Ireland.

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Big Sam on: Burnley
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce faced the press ahead of Saturday's game with Burnley.

During the press conference, the Gaffer answered questions on the team's injury news, the threat Burnley pose and finishing the season positively.

Hi Sam, do you have an injury update for us?

SA: "The injury situation stays the same for us unfortunately so we run with the same squad that was available last week. That means another start for Reece Burke, hopefully he can put in another good performance or an even better one than he did against Queens Park Rangers. We go into the game looking to get a result and a win at home."

Burnley need the win as well, what are your thoughts ahead of that game?

SA: "They play a very similar way to QPR, with a 4-4-2 formation. Like every team you have to look for their weaknesses and exploit them.
"As has been the case with ourselves, they have been a little short on goals recently. That's been a big problem for Sean, they've created a lot of chances but they haven't finished them off. We have to make sure we take our chances while keeping an all-important clean sheet like we did last weekend. "I don't think it will be a tight game because Burnley know they have to come here and go for it. We have to be aware of that, stay solid and exploit the spaces they may leave."

Is the target for the rest of the season to win every game?

SA: "Yes, certainly to try and win. We've got four games to go and 12 points to play for. We're trying to get to the 50 point mark and finish higher than tenth. With the games we've got left, we know our top form is good enough to achieve that."

There were reports in the week that you've opened early contract negotiations, is there any truth in that?

SA: "There's no truth in that, no."

If you don't stay here have you considered other jobs, maybe abroad or in the Championship?

SA: "No, I'm not thinking about that at all. We're into the last 24, 25 days of the season. After that we'll discuss my future at West Ham United. We'll talk things through then, nothing else interests me."

Are you looking forward to the end of the season, one way or the other?

SA: "I always look forward to the end of the season. I look forward to getting in the sun and relaxing and reflecting on the season.
We've had a fantastic season but we're now in a run where we should have done a lot better and we accept that. We're pushing to put that right and trying to getting back to winning matches."

Have you had a chance to think a player's targets for next season?

SA: "Yes we've been doing all that. We're looking at preseason and Martin Glover, our head of recruitment is putting a list of potential players. We need to sort out what's happening with me, then we'll look at the situation of our current players and then any transfers."

A number of clubs are looking at Callum Wilson at Bournemouth, are West Ham one of those clubs?

SA: "I think he'd probably be too expensive considering Bournemouth have just been promoted and they'll want to keep him. There's no pressure on them to sell him so it would take a big number to sign him."

Since 2002, West Ham's highest finish has been ninth, is that a pretty big carrot for you?

SA: "The truth is that we should have nailed that a long time ago but we haven't. We want to finish tenth or higher. We haven't won for a while so we need to make sure our heads don't drop because we're not satisfied with just being safe from relegation a long time ago."

Burnley are at the bottom of the table but Leicester and other clubs down the years have shown it's possible to put a run together and get out of danger…

SA: "At this stage of the season you do begin to panic if you're down at the bottom. We've seen teams pull it together, Leicester at the moment, Sunderland last season. Alan Curbishley did it here a few seasons ago. It can be done, we have to guard against Burnley doing that against us on Saturday. Our fans will expect us to play well and win."

What do you think about the job that Sean Dyche has done at Burnley?

SA: "Sean is his own man and he knows what he wants from his players. He's sticking to his original plan because he thinks that's the best way of doing things. Perhaps I'm a little bit more flexible in terms of adapting to the teams that we play and the threats that the opposition face."

How important is it for you to play well in front of your fans and finish on a high?

SA: "We've got two home games left. Winning at home is always important because it sends the fans home happy. Winning away is fantastic, but at home, in front of 30 odd thousand is great. It makes our fans have a good weekend so we always try and do that. Since the turn of the year we haven't won away so we want to put that right."

Stewart Downing has said the only way to end speculation about your future is to play well. He also said the players love playing for you, are you aware of that feeling within the squad?

SA: "You're embarrassing me now! The players just need to make sure they don't let themselves down rather than letting me down. They know they're much more capable than recent results. It's come down to a few minutes of poor concentration here and there that have let us down. There have been one or two poor performances as well but not many."

You must have seen or heard about Nigel Pearson's press conference last night, what did you make of it?

SA: "I can understand Nigel's frustration because all managers are under a huge amount of pressure. To continue to work under that pressure and come through it is hard. At the end of the day, it's an outburst, nothing more really."

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From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com

We are now firmly in the final stretch of the 2014/15 season and it is important that we put our recent run of results behind us to end the campaign on as good a note as possible.

We welcome Burnley to the Boleyn Ground this Saturday and just as when we took on Queens Park Rangers last weekend, and Aston Villa next, we will be facing a team who are fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table.

For us, we are well out of the scrap but that is not to say there is nothing to play for in these last four games. We built up a hugely positive momentum at the start of this season, and if we finish strongly, we can take some of that into the summer too.

It is nearly time, as we do at the end of every season, to sit down and plan how we can improve for the next one. That means identifying the right players to come in and take us forward once again and we will be doing our utmost to land our top targets.

The next season, of course, is going to be a memorable one for us as we bid an emotional farewell to the Boleyn Ground – and it is our job to make all aspects of the campaign memorable, not least on the pitch.

To that end, I'm thrilled that so many of you have chosen to be a part of the campaign by renewing your Season Tickets in record numbers. Our ticket office are now working through the waiting list for Season Tickets and we fully expect to hit our cap before the start of the new season so if you are on the waiting list please do make sure you are available when the ticket office try to contact you.

On another note, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of our greatest nights this year. I am, of course, talking about our European Cup Winners' Cup triumph over 1860 Munich at Wembley.

To mark the occasion, it has been my great pleasure to invite several members of that legendary team back to the Boleyn Ground for this Saturday's game and I am looking forward to seeing them, just as no doubt they are looking forward to seeing all the fans again.

Their triumph came in the middle of a glorious era for the Club, and those are the kind of days we are hoping to experience once again in the near future.

Come on you Irons

David Sullivan

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Chadwell Chatter - Enner Valencia
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

We've got Burnley on Saturday and after playing the last two games I feel great now. I've had some injuries during the season but now I am back and ready to play. I am looking forward to scoring again – it's been a while since I scored my last goal and I am desperate to help the team win the game on Saturday by scoring again.

I remember my goal at Burnley well. It was a good goal on the counter attack. Carl Jenkinson put in a good cross and thankfully I could head it into the goal. It's always to easier when you play with good players like we have at West Ham. The delivery from players like Jenks, Stewart Downing and Aaron Cresswell is great and that's what we need, good players playing together as a team.

Looking back on my first season at West Ham, I think it has been a year of ups and downs. I had a few injuries at the beginning, and the Premier League is a very strong, dynamic league.

I've had to adapt, which has been hard, but I think I've done well in the process. I have learned a lot about the Premier League, the teams that play well, the teams that play strong and different kinds of football. I've adapted and I think next season will be better than this one. Looking further ahead, and I will have the Copa America to look forward to with Ecuador in the summer. I was at the World Cup last year, so I haven't had a break, but I'm lucky because I love my profession.

I love playing football and I am looking forward to ending the season well with West Ham and then going away with the national team to prepare for the Copa America. I'm confident that we can have a good tournament because we have a good group of players, a new manager and technical staff and we believe we can do well. Back to Saturday and we're all determined to get the three points we need, so hopefully we can start the final run-in with a good result.

Enner

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Hammers open Great Baddow sports dome
WHUFC.com

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce, alongside Academy graduates Mark Noble and Reece Burke, went back to school this week to open the doors to Great Baddow High School's brand new inflatable air sports dome. The Chelmsford secondary school has recently joined forces with the West Ham United Foundation, who will be delivering in-school and after-school curricular activity, as well as introducing an elite player pathway to the Academy. Replacing a dilapidated tarmac playground area, the double skinned air dome is floodlit and large enough to accommodate two five-a-side football pitches. The 3G pitch will bring a new generation of sports provision to the school and local community and Big Sam hopes that Great Baddow's ambition and investment will rub off on other schools in the area. "This is a fantastic facility and I'm sure the students will respect it and make tremendous use of it," Allardyce said. "It was important for me to be here to encourage as many schools as possible to build a facility of this quality, to give an opportunity for youngsters of all ages to enjoy team sports. "When you've got a facility as good as this, then the boys and girls don't realise the physical demands they are putting on themselves, because they're enjoying it. That's the key thing for me. "Whether it's football, rugby or tennis, physical education is so important for your whole life experience as you grow up. "Hopefully, one day, we'll have a Great Baddow High pupil running out for West Ham at the new Stadium!"

For headteacher Carrie Lynch, the sports dome is set to transform what pupils are able to do in their physical education lessons. Chelmsford, of course, is a West Ham stronghold these days and so the Hammers' backing was most welcome too. We're absolutely thrilled to have this facility," Mrs Lynch confirmed. "To have all the visitors from West Ham, working with our students, talking to them and inspiring them has been fantastic. "I think it's really important for our students to see that the people they really admire, will actually come out, put the time in with young people, hopefully inspiring the next generation. So we really appreciated that."

Though it was only completed a week ago, the sports dome is already in demand, such that there was a ballot for the grand opening and Mrs Lynch expects more of the same in the coming weeks and months. She continued: "They've been dying to get in there. We only completed the project about a week ago. It has been there first chance to get in there and other students have definitely been very jealous. They'll be queuing up in their PE lessons!"

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Burke in for Burnley start
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

17-year-old Reece Burke is set to make his second start for the Hammers this weekend when struggling Burnley provide the opposition. Burke, who made his first professional start in last weekend's goalless draw at Loftus Road will partner James Collins for a second successive weekend when the Clarets visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. With James Tomkins out for the rest of the season with a shoulder problem and Winston Reid still unavailable due to a hamstring, Burke will be once again start for Sam Allardyce in West Ham's penultimate home game of the 2014/15 season. Manager Allardyce, speaking to the press this morning revealed the news. "Our injury list stays the same. Unfortunately there's nobody back from last week which means the same squad and another start for Reece Burke," he confirmed.

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Song back in contention for Burnley visit
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham midfielder Alex Song could make his return against Burnley after being give the all clear by West Ham's medical staff. The on-loan central midfielder missed the trip to Queens Park Rangers last weekend after reporting discomfort in his back but is back in contention for this weekend's Boleyn clash, according to the club's Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke. "Alex is no longer feeling pain and discomfort in his back and was able to return to the training pitch on Monday," Vandenbroucke told whufc.com.
"After training on an individual basis for one day, Alex returned to the group on Tuesday and is available for selection against Burnley."
In other injury news, Winston Reid - who sustained a recent hamstring injury - continues his rehabilitation but will not be available in time for this weekend. Fellow central defender James Tomkins is back in training, although he will not play again this term. None of West Ham's long-term injured squad members - Andy Carroll, Doneil Henry, Diafra Sakho and Guy Demel - are expected play again this season either.
Song has made 28 appearances for West Ham this season, without scoring a legitimate goal. Referee Neil Swarbrick incorrectly ruled out what would have been his only goal against Arsenal last December.

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Cup Winners' Cup heroes to attend Burnley clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

Several members of West Ham United's heroes from 1965's Cup Winners' Cup-winning squad will be returning to the Boleyn this weekend to mark 50 years since the club's greatest ever night. On 19 May 1965, Bobby Moore's West Ham beat 1860 Munich 2-0 at Wembley courtesy of goals from Alan Sealey to secure the club's only European trophy. And West Ham's co-owner David Sullivan revealed this morning that a number of the players involved on that wonderful night are the club's special guests for this week's Premier League meeting with Burnley.

"We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of our greatest nights this year," Sullivan wrote on whufc.com. "I am, of course, talking about our European Cup Winners' Cup triumph over 1860 Munich at Wembley. "To mark the occasion, it has been my great pleasure to invite several members of that legendary team back to the Boleyn Ground for this Saturday's game and I am looking forward to seeing them, just as no doubt they are looking forward to seeing all the fans again. "Their triumph came in the middle of a glorious era for the Club, and those are the kind of days we are hoping to experience once again in the near future."

West Ham's win against Munich was voted by supporters as the club's greatest ever achievement in KUMB.com's '100 Greatest Moments' poll, the top ten of which you can see here.

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West Ham announce Umbro partnership
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have confirmed a new five-year partnership with Umbro - as revealed here on KUMB back in October.

Some six months after KUMB initially broke the news, the club have finally confirmed that the kit manufacturer will be replacing Adidas ahead of the move to the Olympic Stadium.

Karren Brady, West Ham's vice-chair said of the new deal: "As we approach two historic seasons for West Ham United, we are delighted once again to team up with Umbro, a company which – like West Ham – is steeped in the heritage of English football but also a fast-growing global brand with an exciting future ahead.

"It is especially fitting that – during our final season at the Boleyn Ground – our players and fans will wear a brand synonymous with one of the finest moments in West Ham's rich history: England's 1966 World Cup triumph.

"It is our determination to bring back those glory days of the 1960s when we move to our magnificent new Stadium, and we look forward to doing so in partnership with Umbro, whose commitment to the highest standards of excellence and quality matches our own."

The Cheshire-born company, now a subsidiary of American company Iconix Brand Group, beat off interest from Nike and Puma to land the West Ham contract.

Vice President of Global Marketing Paul Nugent added: "West Ham United is an incredibly exciting and significant signing for Umbro. This is a special period in the club's history and we are delighted to be part of it.

"We know the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be an emotional one and we have worked closely with the club – with input from Hammers fans – to create a memorable set of kits to commemorate the final season.

"Our kit designs for West Ham are unique to the club and celebrate the rich traditions of the club whilst incorporating all the modern performance properties required for today's game.

"We're looking forward to sharing our 2015/16 kits and hope players and fans will be proud to wear them both home and away."

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Sam Allardyce refutes claims of West Ham contract talks
Last Updated: 30/04/15 5:58pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce has denied claims he has opened talks over a new contract at West Ham. Allardyce's current deal as manager expires at the end of the season and there has been frenzied speculation in the press linking several of Europe's biggest names - including Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp - with the role. But although Allardyce has refuted stories of talks, he insists he is preparing for next season as normal. "What my future will be will be when we decide to sit down at West Ham and talk through our situation," he said. "Outside of that, at this moment, nothing else interests me. "We are doing all the pre-season work. Martin (Glover), our head of recruitment, is looking to pull a list together with all the people that we work with. "If and when we decide what is happening with some of the players...as always sort myself out, the most important thing, then we move forward with that."
Allardyce also used Thursday's pre-match news conference to distance himself from reports linking West Ham with a move for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson. "I think he would probably be too expensive," Allardyce said when asked if Wilson would be a potential transfer target. "If Bournemouth let a player of his calibre go, after just being promoted to the Premier League, they would put a massive price on his head. If they were tempted to sell him, it would be for a big number."

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THE UMBRO £20M DEAL
By Sean Whetstone 30 Apr 2015 at 17:01
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham United and Umbro have finally announced their five-year commercial agreement which will see the global sportswear company become the Club's official technical partner from next season, producing all the Hammers' official kits, from first team to youth level, as well as training products and leisure wear for players and fans.

The announcement was hardly a surprise as we covered the story back in October last year www.westhamtillidie.com/posts/2014/10/29/hammers-to-replace-adidas-with-umbro

The picture used to promote the new deal features five locations from around the Boleyn Ground, namely the Q U eens Pub, Boleyn Cine M a, B obby Moore statue, Boleyn Ground tu R nstile and B O leyn Pub.

Umbro will take on the task of producing the special commemorative kit that West Ham will wear for the Club's final season at the Boleyn Ground, as well as the kit the team will wear when playing for the first time at our magnificent new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Umbro have a long-standing association with West Ham, having produced the Club's first ever replica kits for sale to supporters during the 1960s, when they also famously designed the England kits worn by West Ham's World Cup winning heroes in 1966. Umbro were West Ham's official kit suppliers from 2007-10.

Umbro was sold by Nike in 2012 to the Iconix Brand Group for £140m and February last year Umbro announced Everton as their first new Premier League club to start from the beginning of the 2014/15 football season in a deal thought to be worth £6m per year or £30 over 5 years.

Andy Carroll is also on the books of Umbro, he signed a deal back in 2011 while still playing for Newcastle.

West Ham's commercial department are thought to have negotiated a £4m per year deal worth £20m over 5 years which is double that of the current Adidas deal which earned the Hammers £2m per year and £4m over a two year contract.

When added to the £20m deal the Hammers already agreed with Online betting company Betway this year it brings an impressive extra £40m of funding to the club.

Talking about the lucrative deal West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said:

"As we approach two historic seasons for West Ham United, we are delighted once again to team up with Umbro, a company which – like West Ham – is steeped in the heritage of English football but also a fast-growing global brand with an exciting future ahead. It is especially fitting that – during our final season at the Boleyn Ground – our players and fans will wear a brand synonymous with one of the finest moments in West Ham's rich history: England's 1966 World Cup triumph.It is our determination to bring back those glory days of the 1960s when we move to our magnificent new Stadium, and we look forward to doing so in partnership with Umbro, whose commitment to the highest standards of excellence and quality matches our own."
Paul Nugent, Vice President of Global Marketing for Umbro, added:

"West Ham United is an incredibly exciting and significant signing for Umbro. This is a special period in the club's history and we are delighted to be part of it. We know the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be an emotional one and we have worked closely with the club – with input from Hammers fans – to create a memorable set of kits to commemorate the final season.Our kit designs for West Ham are unique to the club and celebrate the rich traditions of the club whilst incorporating all the modern performance properties required for today's game. We're looking forward to sharing our 2015/16 kits and hope players and fans will be proud to wear them both home and away."

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Everton to subsidise cost of tickets for supporters travelling to West Ham match on 16 May
17:37, 30 April 2015 By James Whaling
The Hammers are charging £55 for adults and £32 for under-16s and over-65s, but the Toffees will reduce those costs by £10
The Mirror

Everton have announced they will subsidise the cost of tickets for supporters travelling to West Ham to watch the Toffees on 16 May.
The Hammers will charge away fans £55 for an adult ticket, with under-16s and over-65s being charged £32. However, the Everton players and the club have agreed to reduce those prices by £10, making them £45 and £22 respectively. A club statement said: "The players, management and club appreciate the lengths supporters have gone to this season to follow the team across the country and beyond into Europe and are thankful for the efforts of all those who have been there to ensure packed out away ends have greeted us wherever we have played."

Toffees skipper Phil Jagielka has backed the initiative, and praise the fans for their support throughout the season. He said: "Everton fans' support is always magnificent, our away fans especially, and this gesture is to show our gratitude to them for their support throughout the season." Everton also reduced the prices for the games at Newcastle and Swansea earlier this season, and offered free coach travel to Burnley, Southampton, Crystal Palace and QPR.

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West Ham United sign new five-year kit deal with sportswear giants Umbro
16:36, 30 April 2015 By James Whaling
The contract will start from the beginning of next season, and the Hammers join Everton in choosing the company to manufacture their kit
The Mirror

West Ham United have signed a new five-year deal with kit manufacturer Umbro. The contract will start from the beginning of next season, and the Hammers join Everton in choosing the sportswear giants to manufacture their kit. The brand will produce all of West Ham's playing and training wear, as well as replicas and other leisure wear for supporters. Umbro first produced West Ham's kits during their glory years of the 1960s, and the first year of this fresh deal will be the club's last at the Boleyn Ground. The picture used to promote the deal features five locations from around the famous old stadium, namely the Q U eens Pub, Boleyn Cine M a, B obby Moore statue, Boleyn Ground tu R nstile and B O leyn Pub.
Paul Nugent, VP of Global Marketing for Umbro, commented: "West Ham United is an incredibly exciting and significant signing for Umbro.
"This is a special period in the club's history and we are delighted to be part of it. We know the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be an emotional one and we worked closely with the club during the design process to create a memorable set of kits to commemorate the final season. "Our kit designs for West Ham are unique to the club and celebrate the rich traditions of the club whilst incorporating all the modern performance properties required for today's game. "We're looking forward to sharing our 2015/16 kits and hope players and fans will be proud to wear them both home and away."

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "As we approach two historic seasons for the club, we are delighted once again to team up with Umbro, a company – which like West Ham – is steeped in the heritage of English football but also a fast-growing global brand with an exciting future ahead. "It is especially fitting that – during our final season at the Boleyn Ground – our players and fans will wear a brand synonymous with one of the finest moments in West Ham's rich history: England's 1966 World Cup triumph. "It is our clear ambition to bring back those glory days of the 1960s when we move to our magnificent new Stadium, and we look forward to doing so in partnership with Umbro, whose commitment to the highest standards of excellence and quality matches our own."

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Liverpool? West Ham? Where next for Marcelo Bielsa - one of football's great minds?
10:07, 30 April 2015
OPINION BY JONATHANWILSON
The Argentine has turned another club round down in Marseille, but with his contract expiring we look at where he could be headed
The Mirror

So the familiar pattern repeats for Marcelo Bielsa. When the Argentinian arrived at Marseille last summer, players spoke in awe of how tough and how unusual his training session were. Marseille began the season well. Their football was thrilling. Fans loved him. There was a disagreement with the board over transfer policy that was swiftly forgotten because results were so good. And then fatigue set in.

Players found they couldn't keep going. Marseille have lost four in a row. Champions League qualification looks beyond them. And now the talk is that Bielsa will leave in the summer.

This is how it always is with Bielsa, and why history will almost certainly judge him a greater theorist than a coach. "If players weren't human, I'd never lose," he said while manager of Velez Sarsfield in 1997, but the problem is that they are. They're not Duracell bunnies who will run all day so that a manager's only job is to point them in the right direction. They get tired.

"It's a method that provokes a certain level of tiredness," said the midfielder Juan Manuel Llop, who played under Bielsa at Newell's Old Boys when they won the Argentinian championship and reached the final of the Copa Libertadores.

"Not just physical tiredness, but also mental and emotional tiredness because the competition level is so high that it's difficult to keep up with it after a period of time. Not all human beings are the same, or think the same, or react in the same way. And the style of Bielsa, his training sessions, demand continuity and it's difficult."

In 25 years as a manager, Bielsa has won only two league titles, although he did also lead Argentina to Olympic gold. But he is a visionary, a coach who revolutionised South American football, and his idealism means that if he were ever to win another trophy, it would be a victory above other victories, one born out of a romantic attachment to attacking football.

His privileging of process over outcome, means Bielsa probably isn't the right fit for a club demanding a constant trickle of silverware.

What he needs is a club where he can be in control - his initial spat with the Marseille board came because they'd bought him a player he didn't want - and that, at least in the short term, is prepared to back his project rather than demanding instant achievement.

Bielsa's eccentricities would guarantee publicity, while the other feature that might make him attractive is the other feature of his classic arc: for a couple of weeks there is confusion, then there is clarity and in that period, results soar. Nobody seriously expected Marseille to challenge for the title this season, just as nobody expected Athletic of Bilbao to challenge for the Europa League; at both Bielsa has over-achieved before exhaustion set in.

So if he does leave Marseille, where next for the former Argentina and Chile coach? There have been rumours linking him to Liverpool which, in tactical terms, makes sense. They're a squad used to pressing, a Bielsa fundamental, and to playing with a back three, which Bielsa often favours. He would need control over transfers, though, which the club may be unwilling to grant him.

Bielsa is also on West Ham's short list. The tactical fit is not so clear, but his football is direct ("vertical" is the term he prefers) and there is pace in the squad for him to work with. With fewer expectations, less pressure, the club itself seems a good fit for him, and a coach of his profile would be a useful step up as they near the move to the Olympic Stadium.

There is an obvious question, though, of whether Bielsa's style could work in the Premier League. Its reputation for physicality isn't just a cliché. Part of Bielsa's methodology is for his team to be fitter than its rivals, to wear them down; given the effort needed to achieve that in Spain and France has caused his squad to collapse, it's far from clear he would be able to achieve that in England.

In that regard, a move to Italy may make more sense. Pressing is still far from universal in Serie A, and the success the likes of Gian Piero Gasperini and Antonio Conte have had with a pressing game suggests the impact Bielsa could have. If Rafa Benitez is set on a return to the Premier League, Bielsa's best option may be another industrial port with a team that has never quite achieved what it probably ought to have: Napoli.

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Allardyce: "There have been no contract talks"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce has confirmed the worst kept secret in football – he has NOT been offered a new deal and has not been in talks. David Gold yesterday revealed exclusively to ClaretandHugh that tweets from Talk Sport's Ian Abrahams sayin "talks were rumoured to be underway" were not true. Allaryce said: "There's no truth in that, no." Asked in his press conference today whether he had considered other jobs – either abroad or in the Championship – he replied: "No, I'm not thinking about that at all. We're into the last 24, 25 days of the season. "After that we'll discuss my future at West Ham United. We'll talk things through then, nothing else interests me." Meanwhile, he confirmed that Reece Burke would would get another pouting at the heart of defence with Winston Reid still suffering a hamstring problem. He said: ""The injury situation stays the same for us unfortunately so we run with the same squad that was available last week.
"That means another start for Reece Burke, hopefully he can put in another good performance or an even better one than he did against Queens Park Rangers. We go into the game looking to get a result and a win at home." He admitted he was looking forward to the end of the campaign, saying: "I always look forward to the end of the season. I look forward to getting in the sun and relaxing and reflecting on the season. "We've had a fantastic season but we're now in a run where we should have done a lot better and we accept that. We're pushing to put that right and trying to getting back to winning matches.

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Hammers announce £20m Umbro deal
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham and Umbro have finally officially announced their five-year commercial agreement to become the Club's official technical partner from next season taking over from Adidas.

The worst kept secret in football was widely reported back in October last year so the announcement comes as no surprise to many fans.

Umbro was sold by Nike in 2012 to the Iconix Brand Group for £140m and in February last year Umbro announced Everton as their first new Premier League club to start from the beginning of the 2014/15 football season.The Everton deal is claimed to be worth £6m per year or £30m over five years.

West Ham are thought to have stuck a £4m per year deal worth £20m over years which is double that of our current Adidas deal which earned the Hammers £2m per year and £4m over the length of the two year contract.

When added to the £20m deal already agreed with Online betting company Betway who signed a three and a half year sponsorship deal earlier this year it brings an extra £40m of funding in the coming to invest.

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Nolan move on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Kevin Nolan will be allowed to move on in the summer should the club receive a "sensible offer" for the captain.

The club have decided that the skipper – 33 in June -should be given the opportunity to grab one more decent deal after his service to the club as he no longer fits the youthful profile the club requires.

He has of course been at the centre of long term abuse from the Twitter army and at the beginning last month said: ""I have been considering my future, without a shadow of a doubt.

"I am not one who wants to sit here on the bench, I won't continue to do it. If you are not good enough for one club you move on and prove to someone else that you are."

The club has now decided that he will definitely be allowed to move on with a source declaring: "He has a year left and it would be only fair to him. There will be a fee involved and we will listen to sensible offers."

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DG loses cool in new Twitter row
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold has lost his legendary Twitter cool after telling a follower using the hashtag #joke club: "I am tired of this."

The co chairman has found himself caught up more and more in the downside of Twitter over recent days after being criticised for comments about injuries not helping a dismal showing at QPR.

But this morning (Thurs) he snapped at a follower who decided to use the hashtag #jokeclub .

It had read: We're gonna finish 12th, all because our depth in the squad and lack of good management @davidgold #joke club.

The co chairman responded: "I am tired of this. We are not a "joke club" we are a GREAT club going though a difficult time. dg

That opened the floodgates with a mass of responses pouring in – most claiming the problem laid with Sam Allardyce's continuing management.

One said: "You're 'tired of all this'? Sack Allardyce tomorrow and you'd have the fans back inside instantly. Problem solved.

Other said: @davidgold @sportmurphy a weak manager makes our club a joke. We need a strong figurehead for when we get to OS – Sam is not our man #actnow

@davidgold @sportmurphy As an outsider if West ham had made a decision on Big sam +everyone new what was happening they would of been top 8

@davidgold @sportmurphy even if we had messi,sam would still start cole ahead of him. We will never go forward with sam.get rid asap

@davidgold @sportmurphy if your tired of it, get rid of Sam, simple Ashley. #DT38 ‏@WestHamFan3 11h11 hours ago

@davidgold @sportmurphy keeping Allardyce next season will pretty much mean we have to have him at the OS, complete lack of ambition.

Later DG returned to the subject to declare in one tweet: "When 87% of the fans ask us to go, as they did at Birmingham and next time be careful what you wish for. dg

And his latest he adds: "I don't get shirty when fans question my judgement but I do get upset when they say that our club is a "joke" dg

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Hammers scouting keepers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are scouting for replacement keepers to challenge Adrian next season. Both Jussi Jääskeläinen and Rahael Spiegel see their their contracts expire next month with little chance of them being renewed. Jussi turned 40 this month and it seems unlikely he will be offered another short term contract whilst meanwhile Spiegel has failed to impress since joining in 2012 despite loans to Crawley, Barnet and Carlisle.

West Ham are said to scouting Turkish goal keeper Mert Gunok who is is out of contract at Fenerbahce this summer. Gunok is currently back-up to Volkan Demirel but has made just seven league appearances this season. Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley has regularly been linked with a move to West Ham along with Loris Karius, a German under-20 international who is also said to be a Hammers target. Karel Hrubes, the Czech under-21 'keeper and plays for Slavia Prague, has also been scouted according to reports.

Great things are expected of West Ham academy keeper Sam Howes but it is thought to be too early to become Adrian understudy. Howes signed his first professional contract with the Hammers on the day of his 17th birthday last year, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal.

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Burke has Burnley chances
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Reece Burke may be handed another opportunity to impress at the weekend with Winston Reid still rated only 60/40 against chance of returning from a hamstring injury.

There is no planned return date for the newly signed-up central defender and should he fail to make it, an interesting situation develops for the fans.

For we will discover whether Sam Allardyce was sufficiently impressed with Burke to trust him against Burnley or whether he will go for the safety first policy of playing Cheik Kouyate at the back.

Diafra Sakho remains sidelined and James Tomkins hopes of returning before the end of the season seem to be receding whilst Andy Carroll is set for a return on the first day of next season.

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Spot on DG! West Ham are NOT a joke club
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 30, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

By Sean Whetstone

CandH associate editor

West Ham owner and co-Chairman snapped back to one fan on twitter this morning saying "I don't get shirty when fans question my judgement but I do get upset when they say that our club is a "joke" dg"

I agree with Gold, if anything its is the small minority of the fans who are the joke by continuing to harass and troll a 78 year man who helped save our beloved club from financial meltdown.

Some fans are never happy and continue moan about the manager, players, board and club in general no matter what is achieved on or off the pitch.

As far as I am aware David Gold is the only Premier League chairman to join and remain on twitter since 2011 and he continues to communicate with fans despite continuous and sometime vile abuse. You wouldn't catch Spurs chairman Daniel Levy communicating with fans or answering questions in the way our board does.

David Gold and David Sullivan single handedly saved our club from financial ruin after the Icelandic disaster and previous chairman in the form of Terry Brown and the Cairns family fared little better having their own disasters in the form of the Bond scheme and other allegations.

Yes, Gold and Sullivan have made mistakes by their own admission such as the appointment of Avram Grant but they are only human and despite claims they are only in it for the money I believe they do care passionately about the club we all love.

In reality there are far easier and less stressful ways in business to invest your life savings to make money and get better returns.

Fans should remember that before making personal attacks, I think the club and fans would be worst off if the fans succeed in driving David Gold off twitter altogether or maybe that is what they want!

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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