Daily WHUFC News - 25th May 2015

Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's 2014/15 Barclays Premier League campaign ended in defeat
on Sunday, as Newcastle United preserved their top-flight status with a 2-0
success at St James' Park. Moussa Sissoko broke the deadlock in the 54th
minute with a powerful downward header, before Jonas Gutierrez set the seal
on the Geordies' survival in the latter stages with a pinpoint low drive.
Stewart Downing had earlier been denied by Tim Krul, while Kevin Nolan fired
wide from the edge of the box against his old side, but this was well and
truly Newcastle's day. Not that the St James' Park crowd needed any stoking
up, they were almost celebrating the perfect start. Inside 60 seconds,
Emmanuel Riviere pounced on the loose ball from a right-wing cross, but
slashed his effort across the face of goal. On their big day, the hosts were
in no mood to sit back. In fact, for a game of this import, it was an
unusually open beginning. West Ham were giving as good as they got and might
have had an early spot kick. Enner Valencia cushioned Carl Jenkinson's cross
and though he fell to earth under Mike Williamson's challenge, Martin
Atkinson was unmoved. With six minutes on the clock, Riviere had another
dig, this time an acrobatic effort from Daryl Janmaat's centre. The
outcome, however, was much the same, with his volley sailing comfortably
wide of Adrian's near post. Reece Burke then got in the way of Gutierrez's
drive from the edge of the box, before Janmaat fired the rebound wide. But
it was West Ham who fashioned arguably the best chance of the half. Aaron
Cresswell slid it firmly into Stewart Downing's path in the inside left
channel and though the No11 tried to loft it over the advancing Tim Krul, he
rather scuffed it and the 'keeper smothered. As the half ticked on, the pace
inevitably let up. Newcastle were doing nothing of the sort. Jack Colback
swung in a deep cross from the left and Janmaat, arriving late at the far
post, should have done a whole lot better than the header he sent sailing
high and wide. Into first-half stoppage time it went and Janmaat set off on
a purposeful run towards goal but failed to hit the target again, dragging
his strike past Adrian's left-hand upright.

Newcastle twice went close in the opening moments of the second half.
Williamson's looping header from a Colback corner drifted past the far post,
but it was Riviere was passed up the golden opportunity. Janmaat skipped
past Cresswell and squared for the Frenchman, who, with only Adrian to beat,
made the meekest of connections and the chance went begging. But Sissoko
soon spared his teammate's blushes. Gutierrez's left-wing cross was an
inviting one and Sissoko rose above both Reid and Cresswell to power a
downward header beyond Adrian.

In response, Sam Allardyce withdrew Valencia and brought on Morgan
Amalfitano in his stead, but West Ham were struggling to carve out clear
chances. Cole met Jenkinson's cross from the right but nodded well over
Krul's crossbar. Skipper Nolan could have dented his former employer's
survival hopes. Cole's lay-off was perfect and Nolan's connection was good
enough, but while Krul scampered across his goal, the ball trickled beyond
the far post. The hosts, meanwhile, had a gilt-edged chance to settle it
late on. West Ham made a meal of a set piece and when Vurnon Anita robbed
Cresswell his path to Adrian's goal was unimpeded. He unselfishly if
unwisely tried to square it and Adrian was able to gather. The reprieve,
however, was short lived, as Gutierrez drove a low shot into the bottom
corner of Adrian's goal to spark wild celebrations among the Geordie
faithful. For the Hammers, defeat coupled with Crystal Palace's win over
Swansea, means they finish the season in 12th spot.

Newcastle United: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Dummett, Anita,
Colback, Gutierrez, Sissoko, Riviere, Cisse
Subs: Woodman, Perez, Ameobi, Cabella, R.Taylor, De Jong, Gouffran

Goals: Sissoko 54, Gutierrez 85

Booked: Sissoko, Gutierrez

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Burke (Tomkins 69), Reid, Cresswell,
Song, Nolan (c), Kouyate (Lee 77), Downing, Valencia (Amalfitano 62), Cole

Subs: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Jarvis, Nene

Booked: Amalfitano

Referee: Martin Atkinson

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Reid disappointed with closing defeat
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid admitted Sunday's final game defeat at Newcastle United was a
continuation of West Ham United's recent poor run. After sitting inside the
Barclays Premier League's top four at Christmas, the Hammers have dropped
down the table over the second half of the season, much to the
disappointment of Reid and his teammates. He says ending twelfth will leave
a sour taste in the mouth over the summer, but insists the east Londoners
will return stronger next term. "The last twelve-odd games have been poor
from our point of view and we'll go off on holiday really disappointed,"
said the No2. "It just hasn't been good enough in the latter part of the
season. It's something that we need to correct for when we come back in
after the summer and get back to what it was before Christmas time. "We
started the campaign really well. We've always been safe throughout the
season, but it's just unfortunate that we couldn't push on in the second
half of the season. We just didn't hit the form that we had before
Christmas."

Sunday's 2-0 defeat on Tyneside also marked the end of manager Sam
Allardyce's four years in charge and Reid is grateful for the chance given
to him by the 60-year-old "As players we've always backed him," he
explained. "I've worked with him professionally for four years and he's been
brilliant for me and brilliant for the Club. "He brought the Club up from
the Championship and has been in the Premier League for three years so
it'll be sad to see him go but that's the decision. "Thank you to him, all
he has done has been brilliant and now we all look forward to a new coach
and new season."

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Big Sam says his goodbyes
WHUFC.com

Sam Allardyce has said his goodbyes to West Ham United after the Club
announced that the manager's contract will not be renewed this summer. Big
Sam leaves the Boleyn Ground after four years in charge during which he led
the Hammers to promotion and stabilised the Club in the Barclays Premier
League. On Sunday, his final game in charge saw the Hammers slump to a 2-0
defeat at Newcastle United and slip to a finishing position of 12th in the
table.

After the final whistle, and following discussions between the two parties
on Friday, the Club confirmed that the manager will not return next season
and Big Sam said goodbye to his backroom staff and players, shaking each by
the hand before leaving St James' Park.

Before doing so, he spoke to West Ham TV one final time to assess his four
seasons in east London.

"I've had a wonderful time," Big Sam began. "I think that when the challenge
got laid down I wondered whether coming into a club which had been relegated
was the right thing to do.

"I basically saw what a mess it was, but I'd signed a contract and committed
to the job. I got on with it and the journey, from after the first six
months – which was a real hard slog and graft and wasn't looking that clever
or feeling that comfortable – has only been really that small blip we had
last season with all the injuries that put us down in the relegation zone.

"Everything else has been great progress and I've enjoyed working at the
Club and the owners. I've taken great pride in working with a Club of this
size and the plan of re-establishing it back in the Premier League is what
I've done and what the owners asked me to achieve.

"I built a really good squad in the end. Altogether we've worked extremely
hard to build that squad and I've managed that squad to get into the
position we're in now and it's somebody else's turn.

"It's the right time for both of us. I look forward to the break and not
having to commit myself like you have to commit in this job. At the end of
the day, family is important and you have to sacrifice your family when
you're in this job.

"Time is right for the Club to move on and me to move on and for me to
recharge and refocus on whatever might be in a few months' time."
The manager's reign has been a rollercoaster, with promotion secured via the
Play-Offs, a comfortable tenth-place finish in the first season back in the
Premier League, a relegation battle last term followed by a season of two
halves in 2014/15.

Big Sam's tenure has attracted huge debate among West Ham supporters, so
what would the outgoing manager's message to those fans be on his departure
from E13?

"I think, like at any football club, there is always somebody who is
discontented with what you are doing and I've said before that the club in
itself, in terms of its support, is exceptionally good," he said.

"When things are not going well, they like to make themselves heard and you
accept that as a manager. I think, if you look back at what we've done and
how far we've come, you can't be too dissatisfied.

"You've got to look at the facts and look at what we've built with what
we've had to spend and how hard we've worked – and I'm not just talking
about me, my staff and the players, but the relationship with the owners in
terms of how to get that money for recruitment comes from them and their
support.

"I think we've done great. We've made mistakes but I don't think we've made
too many and, in the end, you've got a younger squad for someone else to
manage which has learnt an awful lot in the last 12 games, particularly
those who were in their first season in the Premier League. Up to Christmas,
they might have been thinking it wasn't as hard as they thought, but they
certainly know it's hard now.

"That experience of the downside will form the basis for the next manager
and hopefully make them better and more consistent for whoever is in charge
next year."

Sunday's game was a microcosm of West Ham's season, starting promisingly
before withering away in disappointing fashion late on.

Goals from Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez saw Newcastle stay up and St
James' Park erupt with relief, but for everyone associated with the Hammers,
the feeling was one of wondering what might have been.

So, how did Big Sam assess a campaign very much of two halves?

"We can't finish and we can't score and that's become ever more apparent in
the last few weeks," said Big Sam. "Our build-up is fine, but the depth of
our quality of finishing is just not there and that's an area for someone
else now.

"Looking at the overall season, to a certain degree we have overcome the
defensive problems, but on the front line we have not had Diafra Sakho.
Without him, we've found goals hard to come by.

"Because Stewart hasn't kicked on, because Kevin Nolan hasn't done what he
normally does and because Enner Valencia hasn't scored enough goals, that
has been the biggest effect on our results.

"I've had no complaints about the way we have played until the second half
on Sunday, which I thought was really poor. I thought it was poor the way we
went about our task when we had Newcastle very nervous in the first half. We
let them off the hook and that was really disappointing.

"It's for somebody else to take the reins now and take the Club forward."

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West Ham: Sam Allardyce says decision to leave 'was mutual'
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
BBC.co.uk

Sam Allardyce has revealed he planned to leave West Ham United even if the
club had offered to renew his contract. Allardyce's departure was announced
within minutes of the end of West Ham's 2-0 loss at Newcastle United that
saw The Magpies stay in the Premier League.
The 60-year-old has spent four years at West Ham, but the Hammers have
decided not to renew his deal this summer. Allardyce said: "I didn't want to
stay. I suppose you could say it was mutual if they didn't want me to stay
either."

West Ham will now begin the search for a successor, although they look
likely to miss out on top target Rafael Benitez, as the Napoli boss is
linked with Real Madrid. "I thought it was the right time to leave - and
probably the right time for me and the club," added ex-Bolton and Newcastle
boss Allardyce, who now plans to take an extended break from the game.
Allardyce learned of his fate on Friday, but the news was made public on
Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the 2014-15 Premier League season. In
a statement, joint chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said: "We would
like to start by thanking Sam Allardyce for his valuable work since arriving
at the Boleyn Ground four years ago.

Allardyce's managerial career
Blackpool (1994-96): 102 games, 44 wins, 35 defeats, 23 draws. Lost in
Division Two play-offs to Bradford
Notts County (1997-99): 145 games, 56 wins, 50 defeats, 39 draws. Relegated
to Division Three but then won the title by 19 points
Bolton (1999-2007): 371 games, 153 wins, 114 defeats, 104 draws. Promoted to
the Premier League and finished sixth
Newcastle (2007-08): 24 games, eight wins, 10 defeats, six draws
Blackburn (2008-10): 90 games, 32 wins, 34 defeats, 24 draws
West Ham (2011-15): 181 games, 68 wins, 67 defeats, 46 draws. Won promotion
to the Premier League

"He leaves the club in a considerably better state than when he arrived and,
for that, the board are truly grateful."
Allardyce said: "I knew it was coming and I have no problems with it. We had
the discussion and I wasn't going to sign a new contract so it was probably
time to move on. "It's done and dusted and we both move on. West Ham have a
big job appointing a new manager moving forward and I have the job of seeing
my family for a change. This job is 24/7 and it's time for me to give the
family a bit more time."
Sullivan and Gold want a new manager to oversee the club's final season at
their current home before a move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016-17
campaign.

West Ham finishing positions under Allardyce
Finishing positions 2011-12: 3rd Championship (Promoted via play-offs);
2012-13: 10th (of 20) Premier League; 2013-14: 13th; 2014-15: 12th
Record by competition
Premier League - Games: 114; W: 35; D: 28; L: 51; Win%: 31
Championship - Games: 49; W: 27; D: 14; L: 8; Win%: 55
League Cup - Games: 10; W: 5; D: 1; L: 4; Win%: 50
FA Cup - Games: 8; W: 1; D: 3; L: 4; Win%: 13
All - Games: 181; W: 68; D: 46; L: 67; Win%: 38 (Stats: Opta)

The statement was released just minutes after West Ham lost their final
Premier League game of the season 2-0 at Newcastle - a result which ensured
their opponents avoided relegation and meant the Hammers finished 12th.
Allardyce says he has no intention of making a quick return to football,
adding: "For me four years is a long time and I don't want to overstay my
welcome. You have to commit your whole life to being a Premier League
manager. "It's time to have that break. I'm looking to have a break,
recharge the batteries and when the batteries are recharged you are better
prepared to carry on doing the job at this level. "It's not just a job I'm
after, it's the right job. You can never say never but I can't see myself
being in charge of another football club at the start of next season."

West Ham United's supporters made it clear what they felt of the unloved
Allardyce as abuse rained down from the stands at St James' Park as they
lost to Newcastle United. And while it is true the 60-year-old is a
managerial taste that will never be acquired by some, Allardyce can rightly
be pleased with his four years at Upton Park. The brief from owners David
Sullivan and David Gold was to get The Hammers into the Premier League and
keep them there - two missions he accomplished comfortably. Allardyce, in
other words, has done a solid job at West Ham and it will take a lot to move
them even further forward. He may not have been a popular figure among the
fanbase - not that he seemed to care - but this is a manager who did what he
was asked to do. For that he deserves respect and credit.

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'West Ham way' target for new boss after Sam Allardyce exit
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport

West Ham have set a list of criteria as they sift through a shortlist of
candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as manager of the Premier League club.
Allardyce, 60, will not be signing a new deal to remain Hammers boss. Owners
David Gold and David Sullivan want an ambitious boss to take the club to
"the next level" and win trophies. The candidate will be expected to
understand the club, its fans and culture, and can encourage the 'West Ham
way' of playing attacking football. Gold believes the Hammers, who finished
the season 12th, are almost certain to have qualified for the Europa League
via a Uefa Fair Play place.

What is the 'West Ham way'?
Generally thought by some West Ham fans to be a brand of attacking football
where the team goes for goals, such as when the club won the FA Cup three
times between 1965 and 1980 Critics question whether such a philosophy can
exist alongside a target of winning trophies, and bringing young players
through from the club's academy Based on the approach where defenders bring
the ball out from the back as typified by Bobby Moore, and later through the
likes of Alvin Martin and Rio Ferdinand. In his biography, former Manchester
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I hope that before I die someone can
explain the 'West Ham way'. What is it? They last won a trophy in 1980, the
FA Cup."

Allardyce, after four years with the club in which he won promotion and
ensured Premier League stability but was criticised by some sections of the
fanbase for a supposedly negative approach, was told on Friday his contract
would not be renewed. West Ham are content with taking their time over
appointing a replacement, with the club preparing for their final season at
the Boleyn Ground before moving across East London to the Olympic Stadium in
time for the 2016-17 season. Gold and Sullivan themselves are leading the
hunt for Allardyce's replacement and have drawn up a list of candidates,
although one contender - former Liverpool manager and current Napoli boss
Rafael Benitez - is being strongly linked with a move to Spanish side Real
Madrid. The new boss is likely to oversee a European campaign starting in
July, with Gold saying the club is "99.9% certain" to have reached the
Europa League through the Fair Play criteria, which is expected to be
confirmed this week. Club sources say Gold and Sullivan are looking for a
manager who understands the culture surrounding West Ham, and will be
enthused by the stadium move. The successful candidate will also be expected
to promote the club's academy and give young players a chance to break
through into the first team.

Bookmakers' favourites for West Ham job

Slaven Bilic (Odds as of 23:00 BST, 24 May: 1-2. Age: 46) Wants the job and
has just left Turkish side Besiktas, but has no managerial experience in the
Premier League and would be a big risk. Former head coach of the Croatia
national team, was a popular player at Upton Park in the mid-1990s.

David Moyes (Odds: 4-1. Age: 51) Stock is higher following successful six
months with Real Sociedad after flopping at Manchester United. Did a
creditable job previously at Everton, although may fancy more time in Spain
before any return to the Premier League.
Unai Emery (Odds: 5-1. Age: 43) Sevilla head coach considered a hot
property, and has drawn comparisons with Jose Mourinho. Also linked with a
move to Read Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti is replaced.

Steve McClaren (Odds: 10-1. Age: 54) Former England manager would fit West
Ham owners' prototype of going for managers with top-flight experience.
McClaren's future at Derby County is unclear, although he could be courted
by Newcastle.
line

As players paid tribute to the departing manager, Allardyce said that
attacking options were likely to be a focus for his successor.
"We can't finish and we can't score and that's become ever more apparent in
the last few weeks," he told West Ham's official website.
"Our build-up is fine, but the depth of our quality of finishing is just not
there and that's an area for someone else now."

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West Ham to break the 100k barrier for the right man
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 25th May 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are preparing to push the boat out in order to land the right
manager to succeed the recently-departed Sam Allardyce.

60-year-old Allardyce ended his four-year association with the Hammers
moments after the final whistle had blown in the match against Newcastle at
St James' Park on Sunday afternoon - a game the hosts won 2-0.

And KUMB understands that the club are prepared to pay a figure well in
excess of top earner Andy Carroll's near-£5million salary in order to secure
the big-name signing required to lead the club into the Olympic Stadium
little more than a year from now.

Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and long-term target Rafa Benitez are three
names hovering near the top of the Board's wish list tonight and would
certainly command a salary close to that figure.

Whilst Benitez remains the favoured candidate of at least one Board member,
despite having expressed interest in the West Ham post he is believed to
favour a return to Real Madrid where he spent seven years as a player during
the 1970s and '80s.

Further along the chain, Benitez's opportunities of returning to the
Bernabeu rest upon Real's decision with regard to 55-year-old Ancelotti, who
is rumoured be facing the sack two years into a three year contract in
Spain. His future will be determined at a meeting later this week.

Should both Benitez and Ancelotti reject West Ham's overtures, Klopp remains
an unlikely yet tantalising prospect.

Although it was suggested last week that he had ruled himself out of the
running, it is now thought that may not be the case - even if the current
Dortmund boss' signature is being sought by a string of top clubs searching
for a new manager this summer.

Who'll fill the Boleyn hotseat next?

Meanwhile last week's odds-on favourite Slaven Bilic remains a further
option should none of the club's main targets accept the vacancy. Out of
contract at the end of the season, the 46-year-old is tempted by the
opportunity to manage in England.

As reported on KUMB last week, Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa has also been
sounded out whilst Seville manager Unai Emery's name continued to be linked
with the post - although reports emerging from Italy on Sunday claimed he
has agreed to join Milan.

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Thanks Sam, say Sullivan and Gold
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 24th May 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham united's co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have paid tribute
to Sam Allardyce, on the day that told him he was no longer wanted at West
Ham.

The 60-year-old's association with the club came to an abrupt end after four
years this afternoon when the club confirmed he would not be considered for
a new contract via their website.

And despite having wanted shot of him for several months, Sullivan and
partner Gold jointly released a statement praising his achievements.

"We would like to start by thanking Sam Allardyce for his valuable work
since arriving at the Boleyn Ground four years ago," they said. "He leaves
the Club in a considerably better state then when he arrived and, for that,
the Board are truly grateful.

"However, we have made the decision not to renew his contract, so we now
have the chance to appoint a new manager with a new philosophy to lead us
into two of the most exciting years in our great Club's history.

"Our target is to recruit a manager that will build a team capable of saying
a fitting farewell to the Boleyn Ground next year and do justice to the
outstanding surrounds we will call home from August 2016.

"We have already been impressed with the quality of candidates that have
expressed an interest in the role and fully expect to appoint a manager with
the credentials to take this Club on to new heights.

"From our point of view there isn't a more exciting job in the Premier
League at present."

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Irons couldn't say goodbye to Sam fast enough!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 24, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

In the end it couldn't have been quicker.

The statement had been prepared and was on the official site at precisely
4.50 – that's how badly the board wanted Sam Allardyce gone.

No end of season review…no special board meeting – the decision had been
made weeks back but even this morning ClaretandHugh received a phone call
telling us to say nothing about the fact that he'd be gone within seconds of
the whistle blowing in Newcastle.

We were told: "We need a result up there – do nothing that could impact on
the result but he'll be gone a soon as the game is done."

In fact it was all pretty well known by then but it was none the less pretty
embarrassing when the end finally came!

"Game lost 2-0 – the statement is up and you are no longer our manager."

It's been a long haul but behind the scenes the game has been up for a long
time. And the reasons he was sacked are exactly the same as those the fans
screaming for his departure have held.

The board are desperate to see the West Ham fans being entertained by the
type of football which they and many of us were brought up on. They knew it
wasn't going to happen under the former manager -how good does that sound?

But there was a much bigger reason for the decision to say goodbye to the
old bruiser from Dudley- and as quickly as possible: THE FANS.

Time and again in conversations with leading figures inside the club over
the past few months I was told: "He has not healed that relationship with
them and it is critical. The club is divided down the middle and it can't go
on. We've all had enough."

So the issue that has monopolised us for months and months is no more – it
all has something of a dream like quality about it.

FORMER MANAGER Sam Allardyce is no more – we have our club back at last and
now let's unite and put this dreadful last two years to bed once and for
all.

We all deserve tonight…and we all deserve a rest!

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Unai Emery is bookies second favourite
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 24, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

The announcement that West Ham will not be renewing Sam Allardyce's contract
has opened up the betting markets, all keen to make money guessing his
successor. No less than ten bookmakers are now running books on his
replacement.

Slaven Bilic remains the outright odds on favourite across all ten
bookmakers ranging from 1/5 to a more generous 5/6.

A new second favourite has emerged in the shape of Unai Emery being quoted
with odds as short as 5/2 by Sky Bet but as much as 7/1 by Betfair. David
Moyes remains as third favourite followed by Roberto Di Matteo as fourth
favourite.

43 year old Emery made his name as manager of Valencia, winning 49% of his
games in charge before a six-month stint as Spartak Moscow manager. He has
been back in Spain with Sevilla since January 2013, Emery won the Europa
League trophy last season and now has Sevilla in the final of the same
competition again this season. Sevilla finished in fifth place in the La
Liga table.

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Legend Parkes so glad Allardyce has gone!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 24, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

West Ham legend Phil Parkes is delighted that Sam Allardyce is gone! In a no
punches pulled exclusive interview with ClaretandHugh the brilliant former
keeper declared as we told him the news: "So it's official – thank God." And
he added: "I'm not surprised. I didn't watch the game today just as I have
tried to avoid watching for the past two or three months. I can't watch that
stuff and I have felt so sorry for our fans who have paid to do so. It's
been dreadful."

Parksey poured brutal scorn on every reason for keeping Allardyce declaring:
"They say he keeps teams up but had it not been for a good start we'd have
been in the same position as Newcastle today, or perhaps even worse."I've
never seen him as a safer pair of hands than many but I've seen him provide
come awful football. Some of it has been as bad as anything I've seen at
this club."

Never a lover of the Allardyce 'brand,' Phil finally lost it with him when
the cupped ear incident happened against Hull last season.
He said: "You don't do that to our fans who are the greatest around. He
never bought into the history of this amazing club or the passion of those
fantastic supporters and that was his biggest problem.""John Lyall would
have come out afterwards and apologised to them if a team of his had played
like that and said the opposition should have won as they deserved. John
understood the way West Ham managers behave. Sam didn't. "This has been a
long time coming and I'm glad the Sam era has gone, We deserve a quality
manager for our quality supporters and quality club. But I'll leave it to
the owners to find him.."

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Maiga to return pre season
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 24, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Maiga came on as a second half substitute for Metz's last game of the season
to complete his season long loan for the French outfit. Despite his
appearance on 56 minutes Metz lost their final game to Lille 4-1. Metz are
relegated from Ligue 1 which former Metz striker Diafra Sakho help them
achieve. In the 2013–14 season Sakho scored 20 goals in 36 appearances as
Metz won the Ligue 2 title. For his performances, Sakho was voted Ligue 2
Player of the Year for the 2013–14 season.

Maiga will now report back for training with West Ham in late June when the
pre season campaign begins unless a new loan deal can be found. Maiga signed
West Ham for a reported £4.7m from Sochaux scoring 6 goals for the Hammers
from 37 appearances.

Metz were thought to paying just £6,000 of Maiga £30,000 per week wages. He
has one year remaining on his West Ham contract worth around £1.5m in wages.

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