Daily WHUFC News - 27th May 2015

Hammers earn Europa League place
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to confirm that they have qualified for a
place in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League, for the first time since 2006/2007,
after finishing top of the Barclays Premier League's Fair Play table.

In a joint statement, West Ham United Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and
David Gold welcomed the news. They said: "We are delighted to have won a
place in the UEFA Europa League as we want to ensure the Boleyn Ground the
best send-off possible, and progress in this competition will certainly help
with that.

"Starting in early July will bring its challenges, but everyone at the Club,
from the Board to the players and supporters will be relishing the
opportunity to feature on the European stage. It should be a fantastic
experience."

West Ham will be among 104 teams whose European campaigns will begin with
the first qualifying round on 2 July, with three rounds to negotiate before
August's play-off round determines the 22 teams who come through the
qualification process and advance to the Europa League's group stage.

The draw for the qualifying rounds will take place as follows:

UEFA Europa League first and second qualifying round draws: 22 June
UEFA Europa League third qualifying round draw: 17 July
UEFA Europa League play-off round draw: 7 August
UEFA Europa League group stage draw: 28 August

Click here for full information on draw and round dates.

England will also be represented in this competition by Tottenham Hotspur,
Liverpool and either Southampton or Aston Villa, depending on the latter's
result in the FA Cup final.

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UEFA Europa League – who could we face?
WHUFC.com

West Ham United fans have spent Tuesday afternoon enthusiastically scouring
the internet, trying to work out who their heroes could face in the early
rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

A glance down the list of clubs who have joined the Hammers in the
tournament's first qualifying round dispels suggestions that it is the
reserve of clubs from the continent's smallest leagues.

Instead, the 104 clubs included in the first qualifying round draw are
expected to represent 41 different nations, with West Ham being England's
sole representative at that stage of the competition.

The Hammers are one of three clubs to have qualified for the tournament
through finishing top of their domestic Fair Play League – Dutch side Go
Ahead Eagles and Irish outfit University College Dublin (UCD) being the
other two.

Go Ahead will be the only Dutch club in the first qualifying round, which
kicks-off with the first leg on Thursday 2 July, while UCD are joined by
fellow countrymen FAI Cup winners St Patrick's Athletic and League of
Ireland runners-up Cork City and fourth-place Shamrock Rovers.

So, who else is in the first qualifying draw, which will be made on 22 June?

Of the clubs to have already qualified, the Hammers have faced two of them
previously.

FC Lahti finished third in the Finnish Veikkausluga, and were known by their
former guise of Lahden Reipas when West Ham beat them 5-2 on aggregate in
the European Cup Winners' Cup first round in 1975/76.

Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi finished third in their domestic league this
season, earning them the chance to be drawn against the club they knocked
out of the European Cup Winners' Cup at the quarter-final stage in 1980/81.
Then a Soviet league club, Dinamo won 4-1 courtesy of arguably the finest
performance by an visiting side that the Boleyn Ground has ever witnessed.

Of the teams whose qualification has been confirmed, West Ham are expected
to be amongst the seeded teams, including Moldovan Cup winners Sheriff
Tiraspol, Norwegian league runners-up Rosenborg, Swedish side Elfsborg and
Croatian league runners-up Hadjuk Split.

Also in the hat are 1991 European Cup finalists Red Star Belgrade of Serbia,
1983 European Cup Winners' Cup winners Aberdeen of Scotland and two-time
UEFA Cup winners IFK Gothenburg of Sweden.

Due to expected seedings, West Ham are almost certain not to meet any of the
above in the first qualifying round, bar FC Lahti, who are unlikely to be
seeded.

That is not to say that the unseeded teams could not present a banana skin
for West Ham, with Norwegian side Odd, Hungarians Ferencvaros and MTK
Budapest, Latvians Skonto Riga and League of Ireland title chasers Cork City
– who hosted the Hammers in a friendly a year ago – all potential opponents.

For those among the Claret and Blue Army who want to collect some air miles
while following their heroes, the longest potential trip is to Kazakhstan
Cup winners Kairat, based in the city of Almaty a mammoth 3,482 miles from
the Boleyn Ground. Compatriots Ordabasy finished fourth in the Kazakhstan
Premier League and are based just a tad closer at 3,211 miles from east
London.

If you fancy a bit of sun on your back, Balzan FC finished fourth in the
Maltese Premier League and are unseeded, as are the yet to be crowned
Gibraltan Cup winners. Unfortunately, Cypriot clubs Apollon Limassol and
Omonia Nicosia are both seeded!

Closer to home, the shortest potential trip West Ham could make is likely to
be to Welsh Premier League side Newtown, who qualified through a play-off
and are based in the Powys town just 208 miles from the Boleyn Ground.
Fellow Welsh sides Airbus UK Broughton (214 miles) and Bala Town (221 miles)
will also represent Wales in the 2015/16 competition.

The two Scottish sides – Aberdeen and one other – are both likely to be
seeded, but Northern Irish clubs Glentoran and Glenavon are also expected to
be among the unseeded clubs in the draw, as are representatives from
Albania, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Luxembourg, Montenegro and San Marino, among
others.

Whoever West Ham are drawn to face, the Claret and Blue Army are sure to
enthusiastically follow their team over land and, providing we do not draw
any of the three Welsh sides in the hat, sea in their thousands. Roll on 22
June!

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Hartson wants new boss to play 'exciting football'
WHUFC.com

John Hartson says it is imperative that West Ham United appoint a new
manager who will excite and be embraced by the Club's 'terrific supporters'.

The former Hammers and Wales striker, who scored 33 goals in 73 appearances
in Claret and Blue between 1997 and 1999, insists the new boss must be a man
who tries his best to follow the 'West Ham Way'.

With the Hammers now confirmed entrants in next season's UEFA Europa League,
Hartson is hoping the Board appoint a man who can get fans out of their
seats on a regular basis.

"I played in front of the West Ham fans for two years and they are terrific
supporters," said the 40-year-old. "I just feel that they respect the job
Sam has done but they were not very happy with certain elements of Sam
Allardyce being in charge.

"The man they want is a manager who is going to play exciting football, a
manager that likes to play out from the back.

The Swansea-born forward, who also excelled for Luton Town, Arsenal,
Wimbledon and Celtic during a successful career, says the Hammers'
passionate fan base value entertaining, passing football and will demand as
such during the Club's historic final season at the Boleyn Ground, and going
forward into the new Stadium in Stratford.

"West Ham have always traditionally passed the ball there under the lights
at the Boleyn," continued Hartson, who played in the side which finished in
a record-high fifth position in the Premier League in 1998/99.

"Obviously I think the new Stadium is very exciting for them so, as I said,
it's imperative that they get the right man that the crowd can get behind as
well."

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Downing expecting busy summer
WHUFC.com

Stewart Downing expects plenty of changes over what could be a very short
but eventful summer break for West Ham United.

Should the Hammers qualify for the UEFA Europa League through the Fair Play
League, the squad could be back in training as early as 22 June – just four
weeks from now – with a new manager at the helm to boot.

With a host of players either out of contract or returning to their parent
clubs at the end of loan spells, Downing could have plenty of new faces to
get to know come next month.

"Whoever comes in has obviously got really good players and we've proved
this season that we can mix it with the best," the midfielder told West Ham
TV.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of changes in the summer. Sam Allardyce and
his backroom will go, so there is going to be a whole new management side
with new ideas.

"I'm guessing there will be new players coming in because there will be
people leaving who are out of contract etcetera, so there will be a lot of
changes for what is a big season for us ahead of going to the Olympic
Stadium the year after. We need to start it well."

Reflecting on Sunday's season-ending defeat at Newcastle United, Downing
felt the defeat summed up West Ham's inability to create and convert chances
in the second half of the season.

The Hammers were in charge before half-time at St James' Park, but could
muster only Downing's shot, which was saved by Tim Krul, despite controlling
possession. Newcastle recovered after the break to score through Moussa
Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez to save themselves from relegation with a 2-0
victory.

"I thought we were in control and they were a little bit nervy, as was to be
expected, but we just didn't have that cutting edge or produce that final
pass really," the No11 recalled.

"I had that chance from Cressy's pass and I thought I was offside, to be
honest, but their 'keeper has still made the save.

"The second half was disappointing, really. We should have capitalised on
them being nervous and pressed them a little bit harder than we did. It was
a big goal for them when they scored and it gave them momentum and a bit of
confidence."

So, why did West Ham's season come down with Christmas decorations? Downing
believes it was a combination of factors which caused the Hammers to slide
down the table, most notably the absence of leading marksmen Diafra Sakho
and Andy Carroll.

"Obviously we were free-flowing and scoring goals, so losing Sakho was
massive for us," he confirmed. "He was on really good form and didn't really
have a dip, he just kept going and going.

"Enner Valencia came in and settled well, too, but we had a lot of new
players to the Premier League and they – and us – are going to have dips in
form and it might have caught up with them a little bit. Overall, though,
they settled well and you've seen other clubs where it's taken them a year
to settle.

"Overall, we've done well, but it's disappointing because we were fourth at
Christmas and have finished 12th. I said before the last game that we should
have finished in a European spot."

Downing also had words of thanks for outgoing manager Sam Allardyce, who
signed the England international from Liverpool in summer 2013 and helped
him to regain his spot in Roy Hodgson's squad earlier this season.

"You could see on the manager's face that he was disappointed, and he has
thanked us for the work we put in for him. He was a great manager to play
for and obviously took me out of the situation I was in at Liverpool where I
was not playing and I've played nearly every game for him since I've been
here.

"I'm disappointed for him because he's a good man to play for and
first-class whenever I had any problems and such like. It's a big decision
for the Club, but obviously Sam moves on."

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West Ham qualify for Europe - confirmed
Kumb.COM
Filed: Tuesday, 26th May 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's Europa Cup qualifying spot has been confirmed, the club have
announced today.

West Ham have qualified for the first qualifying round of the competition
and won £30,000 in the process, having finished top of the Fair Play league
in England, beating closest rivals Liverpool, Everton and Burnley.

A statement released on behalf of joint chairmen David Sullivan and David
Gold read: "We are delighted to have won a place in the UEFA Europa League
as we want to ensure the Boleyn Ground the best send-off possible, and
progress in this competition will certainly help with that.

"Starting in early July will bring its challenges, but everyone at the Club,
from the Board to the players and supporters will be relishing the
opportunity to feature on the European stage. It should be a fantastic
experience."

West Ham's first game in the Europa League will take place in the week
beginning June 29. The draw for the first and second qualifying rounds takes
place on Monday, 22 June.

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Hammers target set for Real role
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th May 2015
By: Staff Writer

Rafa Benitez is on the verge of being appointed as the new manager of Real
Madrid.

The leading candidate to replace Sam Allardyce had previously expressed an
interest in moving to east London, although the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti
last night appears to have put paid to any chances of that happening.

Benitez, according to Ancelotti's agent Ernesto Bronzetti is now "99 per
cent" certain to be offered the vacant position at the Bernabeu. And talks
are set to take place later this week with view to bringing former reserve
team player Benitez back to Real.

Bronzetti also confirmed that the Italian - another on West Ham United's
wish-list - will be taking time out of football. "At the moment, Ancelotti
wants to take a year's rest," Bronzetti said. "That is his intention."

Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti said farewell to his former employees via
Twitter late last night. "I'd like to keep in mind this two fantastic years
at Real Madrid," he penned. "Thanks to the club, the supporters and my
players."

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West Ham co-chairman David Gold confident of attracting big-name manager
Last Updated: 26/05/15 8:43pm
SSN

Co-owner David Gold says it was the right time for a change in the West Ham
dugout, both for the club and for ex-manager Sam Allardyce. West Ham
co-chairman David Gold believes the club's future stadium can help lure one
of Europe's big managers to the club.

The Hammers sacked Sam Allardyce after finishing 12th in the Premier League
but with Europa League football via the Fair Play League and the move to the
Olympic Stadium just a year away, Gold is confident they will not be short
of illustrious names to choose from.

With names such as Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti mentioned as targets,
Gold said: "I don't think there's any doubt about that. When you see the
Olympic Stadium, and I see it once a month or so, it's just an amazing,
iconic stadium.

"This will not only encourage managers to come and manage West Ham in such a
venue, but it will also attract players. It's a once in a lifetime
opportunity for West Ham United to challenge at the very top.

Speaking on The Morning View, Paul Merson and Alan Smith question the timing
of West Ham's decision to part ways with Sam Allardyce.
"West Ham is one of the great clubs in the Premier League with an amazing
tradition. If you add the Olympic Stadium then it's an amazing package for
any manager anywhere in the world.

"Everybody is on our radar. We are looking for the best and only time will
tell."

On the departure of Allardyce, Gold added: "Sam did an amazing job in the
four seasons he was with us. He did everything we asked - he got us
promoted. It's true we expected to get promoted without having to go through
the play-offs but we went to Wembley and had a fantastic time there.

"We then asked him to keep us up and he did that for three seasons. I wish
Sam well. He's a fantastic manager."

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Marcelo Bielsa wants West Ham job: Marseille boss rejects Sampdoria in
favour of Premier League
22:03, 25 MAY 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
With their move to the Olympic Stadium just 12 months away, West Ham want a
big name capable of taking them to the next level
The Mirror

Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa wants the West Ham job.

The former Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach is understood to have rejected
interest from Italian club Sampdoria.

Bielsa has made it clear to the Hammers that he would rather move to the
Premier League to succeed Sam Allardyce.

It is a boost for the East Londoners, who had already had the 59-year-old,
currently learning English, on their shortlist.

With their move to the Olympic Stadium just 12 months away, West Ham want a
big name capable of taking them to the next level.

They want to be playing in Europe and to be reaching the latter stages of
the domestic cup competitions.

On a tight budget, Bielsa has led Marseille into next season's Europa
League, having been narrowly beaten to a Champions League spot by Monaco.

After his club's 3-0 win over Bastia at the weekend, Bielsa - whose contract
is coming to an end - congratulated the players individually but refused to
confirm whether he would be staying.

Allardyce left Upton Park by mutual consent in the wake of West Ham's 2-0
defeat at Newcastle on Sunday.

The Hammers have already missed out on Rafa Benitez, having agreed terms on
a three-year deal with him before Real Madrid moved in to open talks .

Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has rejected several offers to return to
England and wants to stay in Spain.

Although Slaven Bilic, set to leave Besiktas, is the bookies' favourite, the
Hammers are in no rush and are looking at other options.

Bielsa, who led Argentina to Olympic Gold and the Copa America Final in
2004, has a reputation for attacking football - with an emphasis on fitness
- based around hard workers rather than star names.

He is also a combustible figure who refused to play players bought for him
at Marseille that he didn't want.

Last summer Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate were among the players at West Ham
brought in even though Allardyce had not been in complete agreement.

Bielsa would, however, fit the ambitious profile of the kind of manager that
West Ham are now hoping to attract.

The Irons want Allardyce's successor to continue the club's tradition of
bringing through their academy talents.

Bielsa helped Chile - where he worked with Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez - to the
World Cup in 2010. The achievement - following two tournament absences -
came after he fast-tracked youngsters and brought in a more attacking
mindset.

Bielsa also led Athletic Bilbao, where he worked with Manchester United's
Ander Herrera, to the Copa del Rey and Europa League finals three years ago.

At Marseille he had the club in title contention until defeats over the
second half of the season ended their chances.

He has still finished with the club's highest points tally for several
years.

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Gold convinced we'll have big name boss
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

David Gold is convinced the Hammers will soon be announcing a big name
manager.

Speaking earlier today he said: "I don't think there's any doubt about that.
When you see the Olympic Stadium, and I see it once a month or so, it's just
an amazing, iconic stadium.

"This will not only encourage managers to come and manage West Ham in such a
venue, but it will also attract players. It's a once in a lifetime
opportunity for West Ham United to challenge at the very top.

"West Ham is one of the great clubs in the Premier League with an amazing
tradition. If you add the Olympic Stadium then it's an amazing package for
any manager anywhere in the world.

"Everybody is on our radar. We are looking for the best and only time will
tell."

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Irons react to Di Matteo link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Roberto Di Matteo will not become West Ham's new manager!

Some betting forms reacted quickly this morning by installing him as second
favourite to Slaven Bilic after his departure from Schalke.

However, as soon as the news broke ClaretandHugh asked its regular sources
at Upton Park whether the move on the betting lists had legs inside the
club.

And we were told categorically by a top insider: "No, that wont happen. You
can forget that one."

Senior media spokesman and football odds maker for William Hill, Joe
Cottrill commenting on the Di Matteo odds said: "It really doesn't take much
to see people spring into the market at this time of the year.

"It doesn't take a bucket load of money either and there hasn't been a great
deal for him. It's obviously more to do with Schalke departure.

"These manager markets are very volatile and can vary from day to day with
every new rumour."

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Europa Cup – the full calendar
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

With the Hammers now qualified for Europe via the Fair Play League, here is
the full list of dates for the Europa Cup competition – right through to our
place in the Final next May in Basel!!!

First qualifying round, second leg – July 9

Second qualifying round, first leg – July 16

Second qualifying round, second leg – July 23

Third qualifying round. first leg – July 30

Third qualifying round, second leg – August 6

Play-off round, first leg – August 20 Play-off round, second leg – August 27

Group stage, matchday one – September 17

Group stage, matchday two – October 1

Group stage, matchday three – October 22

Group stage, matchday four – November 5

Group stage, matchday five – November 26

Group stage, matchday six – December 10

Round of 32, first leg – February 18

Round of 32, second leg – February 25

Round of 16, first leg – March 10

Round of 16, second leg – March 17

Quarter-finals, first leg – April 7

Quarter-finals, second leg – April 14

Semi-finals, first leg – April 28

Semi-finals, second leg – May 5 Final (St. Jakob-Park, Basel) – May 18

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Irons fear Liverpool will Kop Klopp
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

West Ham fear that Liverpool are the dark horses to grab Jurgen Klopp as
their new manager before many weeks are out.

The Irons haven't given up on the 47 year old German but sources close to
the managerial situation seem fairly convinced that Liverpool will be his
next destination.

The two Davids are currently in their Marbella summer retreat which they use
every year at the same time for their new season planning meeting.

And top of the list for their attention of course is the managerial
situation which is being fired up by the ever-changing bookies list.

Klopp is currently leading the ClaretandHugh fans poll to become the next
Upton Park boss but our sources inside the club are not confident he can be
wooed into the club.

We were told: "There's a big buzz on the grapevine that Liverpool are into
him in a big way. He's perhaps the most desired manager in world football
right now and we shall keep on until we hear differently and definitely."

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Report: Hendon to become Orient boss
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

West Ham first team coach Ian Hendon has agreed to become the new manager of
Leyton Orient, Sky Sports are reporting.

Orient have been looking for a new manager after Fabio Liverani departed by
mutual consent earlier this month after failing to avoid relegation to
League Two.

Hendon played for Spurs, Barnet and Leyton Orient and had spells managing
Barnet and Dover Athletic as well being the assistant manager of Gillingham
before he joined West Ham in 2011.

Hendon will become the second of Sam's backroom boys to exit West Ham
following the departure of former attacking coach Teddy Sheringham to League
2 Stevenage. Assistant manager Neil McDonald has been linked with the
Blackpool job with reports claiming talks are ongoing.

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Di Matteo is new bookies second favourite
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Roberto Di Matteo has been made the second favourite by book makers to take
charge of West Ham following his resignation as head coach of Schalke 04.
The 44-year-old had been in charge of the Bundesliga club for just seven and
half months.

But defeat by Hamburg on Saturday left Schalke with two wins from 10 games
to miss out on a Champions League place. Schalke ended the season sixth
meaning they will compete in next season's Europa League.

Di Matteo said he resigned because of a difference of opinion over plans for
next season following a meeting with the club's director of sport Horst
Heldt. "I offered a plan for a possible successful future and what the
conditions for that would need to be," said Di Matteo, who had two years
left in his contract. "It became clear that the club had a different
emphasis. This is why I decided to resign from my position as head coach."

The Italian led Chelsea to the 2012 Champions League title but was replaced
by Spaniard Rafael Benitez after eight months.

Di Matteo started his manager career At MK Dons before later taking West
Brom to promotion to the Premier League.

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Diafra's fabulous message to fans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 26, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

No other player typifies the spirit of the Irons better for us at
ClaretandHugh than Diafra Sakho.

And here he sends a fabulous message to the fans at the end of a great
goalscoring season despite his injuries via Twitter under the words: To my
dear Iron Family , i would like to say ……@whufc_official #COYI

Thanks to you for everything this season too Diafra.

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