West Ham United have issued a statement following today's announcement
concerning XL Holidays
12.09.2008
West Ham United were informed today that XL Leisure Group, which operates
the club's principal partner XL Holidays, has been placed into
administration.
XL Holidays remains the club's principal partner and we await further
information from the administrator before ascertaining the impact of today's
events. Any updates will appear here on whufc.com. We are of course saddened
for the customers of XL Holidays that have been affected and hope that a
speedy and satisfactory solution is found.
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Noble and Collison to meet - WHUFC
Mark Noble's England and Jack Collison's Wales will go head to head in the
U21 Euro play-offs
12.09.2008
Mark Noble and Jack Collison could go head to head after England were paired
with Wales in the European Under-21 Championship play-off draw on Friday
morning.
The two-legged all-British tie will take place 10/11 and 14/15 October on a
home and away basis. Only Sweden, as hosts, have qualified automatically and
will stage the eight-nation final round between 15-29 June 2009.
The other qualified teams include the might of Italy, who are the most
successful nation at Under-21 level with five titles, Spain and Germany.
Also involved are Turkey, Switzerland, Austria, Serbia, Belarus, Israel,
France and Denmark. The latter quartet of countries made it through as the
best four runners-up from the ten-section group stage.
Full draw
Germany v France
Denmark v Serbia
Turkey v Belarus
Austria V Finland
Wales v England
Italy v Israel
Switzerland v Spain
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West Bromwich Albion preview - WHUFC
All the early team news and background for Saturday afternoon's return to
league action
12.09.2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
The Hawthorns
Saturday 13 September
3pm
Referee: Lee Probert
WHUTV - Full audio commentary
Introduction
* West Ham United will look to make it four wins in five games in all
competitions when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.
They will be led by caretaker manager Kevin Keen ahead of the official
arrival of Gianfranco Zola on Monday.
* The club are looking to continue their best start to a Premier League
season for nine years by securing their third win from four top-flight
games. A win would mean the best start since 1999 and the possibility of
going top of the table.
* West Bromwich Albion, who currently sit joint-bottom of the fledgling
Premier League table with Tottenham Hotspur, are looking to record their
first win of the campaign. If they fail to do that it would be their worst
ever start to a Premier League campaign.
* Keen said: "I'm honoured that the club asked me to be caretaker manager
... It's a great opportunity for me and hopefully everything will go really
well and I'm sure it will. I'm ambitious. I want to make sure that this club
keeps going in the right direction."
* Peter Grant, the West Bromwich Albion assistant manager, will be facing
the team he served for three seasons under Alan Pardew. Speaking to the
official West Brom website, he said: "West Ham take pride in the way they
play. The fans can accept you lose if you play well. If you play exciting,
attacking football then the fans will applaud you whatever the result, even
though they want to win ... it is a fantastic club."
* Both teams secured impressive results in their last outings. West Ham
United scored four for the second match in a row to send Blackburn Rovers to
a 4-1 defeat at the Boleyn Ground. West Bromwich Albion secured their first
point of the season in a hard fought 0-0 draw at Bolton Wanderers.
* The visitors have a 100 per cent record at the Hawthorns in the Barclays
Premier League with two wins from two games. However, they will be looking
to end a run of four straight defeats in a row away from the Boleyn Ground.
* West Bromwich Albion have not beaten West Ham United at home since a 5-1
win on 4 May 1985. The last time they got the better of the east London side
was in a high-scoring encounter at the Boleyn Ground in the Championship in
November 2003, which they won 4-3. Two goals from Brian Deane and one from
Jermain Defoe gave the home side an early 3-0 lead.
* The visitors staged a dramatic comeback though, scoring four goals as
Defoe was sent off just before half-time. The other game that season was a
1-1 draw at the Hawthorns when a second-half strike from Deane was cancelled
out by a late Hayden Mullins own goal.
* Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground on 20 September are up next for the
visitors while a Midlands derby at home to Aston Villa awaits the Baggies on
the following day.
* If Mark Noble plays it will be his 50th Premier League appearance for
United.
Last time out
Saturday 30 August - West Ham United 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert (McCartney
60), Parker, Noble (Mullins 81), Etherington, Cole, Ashton (Bellamy 69).
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Reid, Sears.
Goals: Davenport 12, Samba 20 og, Cole 90, Bellamy 90
Saturday 30 August - Bolton Wanderers 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite (Hoefkens 46), Barnett,
Robinson, Borja Valero (Cech 58), Koren (MacDonald 70), Greening, Morrison,
Kim, Miller
Subs not used: Kiely, Bednar, Brunt, Moore.
Team news
* In a strong squad, Keen welcomes back several players who have been away
on international duty. Matthew Upson and Robert Green (England), Mark Noble
(England Under-21s) Lucas Neill (Australia) and Valon Behrami (Switzerland)
will all travel to the Midlands following their international call-ups.
* Behrami missed his country's shock midweek defeat by Luxembourg with a
slight knock but was back in training on Friday.
* Craig Bellamy will be pushing for a starting place after his goalscoring
cameo against Blackburn Rovers. The Welshman will be looking to make his
first start since 27 October 2007.
* James Tomkins and Jack Collison both played in a midweek reserve-team
friendly - a 4-0 win against Norwich City - after recovering from medial
knee ligament problems. Tomkins is in contention, having come through
training successfully this week, to provide extra competition for Matthew
Upson and Calum Davenport. James Collins is also getting closer to his
comeback but is not yet ready.
* The three new recruits of Italy striker David Di Michele, who will
challenge Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole and Bellamy for a starting berth, and
international left-backs Herita Ilunga and Walter Lopez are also part of the
travelling squad.
* West Bromwich Albion defender Gianni Zuiverloon has a hamstring strain and
is a doubt for the game.
* James Morrison and Abdoulaye Meite are available though after recovering
from knee and calf injuries respectively. Ryan Donk and Jonas Olsson could
be set for their debuts.
Background
* The last two meetings of the clubs came in the 2005/06 campaign. Teddy
Sheringham struck the only goal in a November 2005 success at the Boleyn
Ground before Reo-Coker's winner away the following May in the penultimate
game of the season.
* The lineups for the last meeting on 1 May 2006 were:
West Bromwich Albion: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Watson, Davies, Robinson,
Greening, Wallwork, Quashie, Gera, Ellington, Kanu
Subs not used: Hoult, Martinez, Carter, Nicholson, Inamoto
West Ham United: Hislop, Dailly (Konchesky 73), Gabbidon, Fletcher, Scaloni,
Newton, Reo-Coker, Ward, Reid, Ashton (Sheringham 23), Zamora (Harewood 71)
Subs not used: Walker, Katan
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
1 May 2006 - West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United
5 November 2005 - West Ham United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
6 December 2003 - West Bromwich Albion 1-1 West Ham United
8 November 2003 - West Ham United 3-4 West Bromwich Albion
23 February 2003 - West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
11 September 2002 - West Ham United 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
Overall record v West Bromwich Albion (all competitions): W 35, D 16, L 36
Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 3pm unless stated)
Saturday 13 September
Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal
Fulham v Bolton Wanderers
Liverpool v Manchester United (12.45pm)
Manchester City v Chelsea (5.30pm)
Newcastle United v Hull City
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Wigan Athletic v Sunderland
Sunday 14 September 2008
Stoke City v Everton (1.30pm)
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details of getting to the Hawthorns,
click here
Weather: The forecast is for a generally cloudy day with some sunny spells.
The temperature is set to peak at around 19C.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Duxbury: now we spend - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 12th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
United CEO Scott Duxbury has revealed that the club are ready to start
spending again following the appointment of Gianfranco Zola. Alan Curbishley
was forced to quit West Ham last week having been given nothing to spend
during the summer transfer window. However with the appointment of his
successor now complete, Duxbury confirmed that the club are ready to back
the new man in the transfer market, which reopens on 1st January 2009. "He
has made it quite clear it's not about him," Duxbury told the Guardian.
"It's about building a team around him and that's what we will do. "It
won't be the cheap option because we will be building this team around him
to move the football club forward. The style of football and what we can
achieve with Gianfranco is going to be superb. "I agree there is this
question mark over his experience but meeting him and talking with him at
length about his footballing philosophy left us with no other choice. "It
wasn't about a cheap option or about experience, it was about his
philosophy, which fitted perfectly with what this club is trying to achieve.
"Alan [Curbishley] is a great man and a good manager and I wish him well but
I believe this is an opportunity to move on and improve."
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From Stamford Bridge to Upton Park, Frankie Zola and Steve Clarke - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 11th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Steve Clarke has resigned as Chelsea's assistant head coach in order to join
the Italian revolution at Upton Park. According to the Times, Clarke - who
was a member of staff at Stamford Bridge for over 20 years - has handed in
his notice with view to joining former team mate Gianfranco Zola, who was
confirmed as the Hammers' 12th full time manager earlier today, at West Ham.
The deal, if confirmed, would represent a major coup for the Hammers, for
Clarke was a well-respected member of Chelsea's coaching staff popular with
players and supporters alike. The former Scottish international was a close
confidante of former Blues manager Jose Mourinho although he found himself
marginalised first by Avram Grant and then, more recently, by Phil Scolari.
Chelsea, according to the story pulled out all the stops in an attempt to
keep Clarke at Stamford Bridge but he was apparently determined to leave in
order to join up with Zola, a player whom he featured alongside for two
seasons in the late 1990s. Clarke, if confirmed, will become the second
signing made by new manager Zola following confirmation of the arrival of
fitness coach Antonios Pintos.
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The Egg cracks - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 12th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Former United chief Eggert Magnusson has hit back at Alan Pardew, claiming
that the current Charlton boss left West Ham in turmoil. Pardew was sacked
by Magnusson just a fortnight after the Icelandic consortium took control of
the club in 2006, with West Ham on the back of a terrible run of results and
firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. Earlier this week he openly
criticised Magnusson for West Ham's recent financial worries, suggesting
that the former UEFA chief was like a child in a sweet-shop during his
tenure at the club. But the popular Magnusson, who received his marching
orders the following year has blasted Pardew, telling fotbolti.net that had
he not been sacked, the Hammers would have relegated. "When Alan [Pardew]
was told to leave the squad and the dressing room were in turmoil," said
Magnusson. "He was told to pack his bags and thats why he is so sour. We
avoided the drop by some miracle and a belief it could be done. "It didn't
surprise me that used this opportunity to attack me because I was at the
helm when he was let go," added Magnusson. "But he knows more than everybody
else how the state of the players was and how poor the state of all
footballing matters were under his control. "My opinion is that we would
have been relegated had he stayed on."
Pardew hit out at Magnusson earlier this week when questioned about the
appointment of Gianfranco Zola. Talking to the BBC, he said: "The decision
to appoint him [Zola] was a good one in terms of it wasn't made by Eggert.
That would be a problem for me. I'm glad he's out of the way, out of the
picture."
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Chelsea reject Clarke resignation - BBC
Chelsea have turned down Steve Clarke's resignation as assistant first-team
coach following an approach by West Ham to take him to Upton Park. The
Hammers appointed Gianfranco Zola as manager on Thursday and appear to want
Clarke, 45, to be his number two. But a Chelsea statement said: "West Ham
have made an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke. "They have
not been given permission to talk to him. We have not accepted his
resignation. Talks are continuing."
Clarke joined the Stamford Bridge outfit as a player in January 1987 and the
defender helped the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup
Winners' Cup before retiring in September 1998. He went on to join Ruud
Gullit as his assistant at Newcastle and had a brief spell as caretaker
manager at the Tyneside club after the Dutchman's exit in August 1999 before
working under Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park. The Scot returned to
Chelsea - where Zola enjoyed a successful stint between 1996-2003 - and has
assisted recent Chelsea managers Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant as well as
current incumbent Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari held talks with Clarke on
Wednesday and said he would give him more responsibility. Steve is very
important for me and Chelsea," said Scolari. "He is a man that is a point
between me and the players and me and the staff. He knows very well Chelsea,
the England players and clubs." He added: "I don't know what happened in the
night but when I came here in the morning I heard he had resigned." Clarke
has two years left of his current deal at Chelsea after signing a new
contract after Mourinho left the club in September 2007. Scolari expects him
to go and re-join Zola and said: "Now I have been told he is going I am sad
but I understand Steve. "All people have projects in their life. I don't
agree with his decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie. "I
like him as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the best."
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Scolari accepts Clarke exit - SSN
Blues coach wants Hammers switch
By Chris Burton Last updated: 12th September 2008
Luiz Felipe Scolari has already conceded defeat in his attempts to keep
Steve Clarke at Chelsea. The Blues coach handed in his resignation on Friday
and is keen to link up with new West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park.
Chelsea are yet to accept that Clarke will be leaving for their London
rivals, and will be seeking compensation should they fail to retain the
services of the popular coach. However, Portuguese boss Scolari understands
Clarke's motives for wanting to leave and has wished him well in his new
post. "Now I have been told he is going I am sad but I understand Steve. All
people have projects in their life," he said. "I don't agree with his
decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie. "I like him as a
person and as a coach and I wish him all the best."
Scolari went on to reveal that he had made a personal plea for Clarke to
stay, believing the former Blues defender to be his expert on English
football. "Yesterday I invited Steve to visit my house and we discussed the
situation between West Ham and Chelsea," he added. "I told him what I
thought and this morning told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon what I think
about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea. "He is a man
that is a link between me and the players and between me and the staff. He
knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs. "When he told me
about his projects I said to him I could be the man who would open more
chances for him to be the head coach in England or in other countries. "And
I said I would give him more responsibility at Chelsea and would tell the
press that Steve wanted to fly alone in the future. "I don't know what
happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard he had
resigned."
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Keen in dark over Clarke - SSN
Hammers caretaker knows nothing about Clarke's arrival
Last updated: 12th September 2008
West Ham caretaker manager Kevin Keen is in the dark as to if and when Steve
Clarke may join the Hammers' coaching staff. The former Chelsea assistant
boss has tendered his resignation at Stamford Bridge ahead of a proposed
move to Upton Park, although the Blues are yet to give permission for talks
to take place. Keen believes Clarke's record speaks for itself having worked
under Jose Mourinho when Chelsea were all-conquering in the Premier League
and that he would be a good addition to new manager Gianfranco Zola's
coaching staff. "I don't know anything about the situation," Keen told Sky
Sports News on Clarke's possible appointment. "I don't think that comes as a
surprise. "In terms of Steve Clarke obviously his record speaks for itself
having worked for (Jose) Mourinho. He's won Premier League titles and FA
Cups. "I don't know a lot about him as a coach, but I know he's highly
respected. I only know him as a player having played against him a couple of
times. "I've done a couple of coaching badges with him. I get on really well
with him. As for his appointment I don't know anymore than that so we'll
have to wait and see."
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West Ham's owner accused of pulling the plug on refinancing XL leading to
its collapse - Daily Mail
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:07 PM on 12th September 2008
The Icelandic banking magnate who led the £98 million acquisition of West
Ham United two years ago is set to bear the brunt of the collapse of XL
Leisure, the airline and tour operator. Financier Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is
the most substantial investor standing behind the mountain of debt which has
funded XL for the past two years and today stood accused of pulling the plug
on a refinancing of the company. Gudmundsson is the chairman of Landsbanki,
the Icelandic bank which lent the £143 million that financed the buyout of
XL from its then parent company, the Icelandic stock exchange company Avion
Group, in 2006. That loan, however, was guaranteed by Avion, now a
slimmed-down shipping and transportation group known as Eimskip, in which
Gudmundsson is also a significant investor. An Eimskip spokesman admitted:
'The likelihood that the loan will fall on Eimskip has increased.'
XL's chief executive and original founder Phil Wyatt was adamant today that
he had been close to securing a refinancing of the company despite XL's woes
being an open secret in senior travel circles. 'The business could have been
saved,' he said. 'The problem was that nobody was prepared to take a haircut
on the debt.' He also said Landsbanki had been prepared to back a £20
million injection but that the business as a whole needed a £50 million
investment. He said it had been hoped a private investor would come forward
with the money. It is believed that other debts on top of the buyout finance
mean creditors are owed more than £200 million.
Wyatt said the UK businesses of XL had been on course to rack up losses of
£30 million on group turnover of £800 million, on the back of an £80 million
rise in fuel costs. XL's losses on fuel hedging contracts has led to a hit
of up to £10 million for Barclays. Barclays was a counterparty to XL's
hedging policy in which losses had mounted. Rather than calling in the
liability and potentially forcing XL into insolvency a fortnight ago, it is
understood Barclays converted the losses into a loan.
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Italy under 21's send your CV's now for January Transfer Wiondow -
ComeOnYuIrons
12 September 2008
There are many good points about Zola being our new manager, probably the
best will be the likelihood of buying some of Italy's finest under 21
players in the January transfer window. An interesting and slightly funny
article in the guardian said: The first thing Gianfranco Zola will do as
West Ham manager is to find a comfy chair for his office. The second thing
he'll do is sign Italian U-21 player Francesco Bolzoni, a player whose
footballing talent is so pure they actually use it to baptise babies in some
parts of Naples. Bolzoni will cost around £7m. Well lets hope that is true,
i would seriously like to see quality Italian youngsters joining up with our
players like Sears, Tomkins, Hines, Noble, Collison,etc..
This post was submitted by Stu Granger.
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West Brom v WEST HAM: New trio get the call for Hammers and Etherington is
fit again - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:46 PM on 12th September 2008
New signings Walter Lopez, David Di Michele and Herita Ilunga are included
in West Ham's squad for tomorrow's trip to West Brom by assistant boss Kevin
Keen ahead of Gianfranco Zola taking over the team next week. Midfielder
Matthew Etherington has overcome illness and could feature in the Barclays
Premier League clash. Defender James Tomkins is also back in contention
after recovering from his leg injury.
Provisional squad: Green, Behrami, Tomkins, Davenport, Upson, Neill,
Faubert, Parker, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Bellamy, Lastuvka, Reid,
Bowyer,
Spence, Boa Morte, Mullins, Sears, Widdowson, Lopez, Di Michele, Ilunga.
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Chelsea won't accept Clarke's resignation - reuters.co.uk
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:56am BST
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea refused on Friday to accept the resignation of
assistant coach Steve Clarke and declined to give permission for West Ham
United to talk to him. West Ham have asked to speak to Clarke with a view to
him joining new manager and former Chelsea team mate Gianfranco Zola.
"Chelsea can confirm that West Ham have made an approach with regards to
talking to Steve Clarke. They have not been given permission to talk to
him," the club said in a statement. "Steve Clarke has tendered his
resignation as assistant first team coach. We have not accepted his
resignation. Talks are continuing." Clarke, 45, has spent 20 years at the
club as a player and coach and is hugely popular with the fans. He joined in
1987, making more than 400 appearances over the next 11 years, and helping
them to win the FA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and League Cup. After a brief spell
as assistant to Ruud Gullit at Newcastle United, he returned to Chelsea
where he filled various coaching roles with the youth and first teams. Zola,
who spent seven years at Chelsea, took over at West Ham this week following
the resignation of Alan Curbishley.
(Editing by John Mehaffey)
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Alarm bells at West Ham as XS Zola is latest in long line of U21 boss
failures - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man Last updated at 12:32 PM on 12th September 2008
Gianfranco Zola may have the ability to charm the birds from the trees but
he will have to buck historical precedent to succeed as West Ham manager.
Hatchet Man is not sure how many birds - or indeed trees - there are around
Upton Park in London's East End but the omens - including the club's sponsor
XL going into administration as they appoint Zola XS - are not good. The
records of former Under 21 coaches, Italian and English, make scary reading.
Italy's junior team was formed in 1976 and not one of their managers has
gone on to club success after working with them. Marco Tardelli (1998-2000)
was a complete disaster with Inter and Bari and although a couple of others
in the early days went on to manage Italy's senior team, it is a far cry
from the Premier League. England's Under 21 managers, if anything, have been
even worse in club management after their stints on international duty.
Think Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland setting a record points low in getting
them relegated, Peter Taylor at Leicester wasting money on Ade 'Akinbadbuy'
and David Platt giving up on management altogether. Taylor's minor successes
in the lower divisions with other clubs will be no consolation and bringing
in true Chelsea blue Steve Clarke as Zola's assistant will be a risky move.
He may add Premier League know-how but if things go wrong the dour Scot's
Stamford Bridge connections will put him in the firing line. Still, West Ham
fans can take a crumb of consolation from this week's news: Nigel Quashie
may be leaving on loan for Birmingham.
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Luiz Felipe Scolari understands reasons behind Steve Clarke departure to
West Ham
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari understands why assistant manager Steve
Clarke wants to leave for West Ham.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 12:55PM BST 12 Sep 2008
The Scot handed in his resignation this morning after an approach to link up
with the Hammers' new manager Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park. Chelsea have
not accepted his resignation and will be seeking compensation but Scolari
has already wished him well in his new post. He said: "Now I have been told
he is going I am sad but I understand Steve. All people have projects in
their life. "I don't agree with his decision but I am happy for him because
I like Stevie. "I like him as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the
best."
Scolari had made efforts to persuade Clarke, whom he regards as his expert
on English football, to stay. "Yesterday I invited Steve to visit my house
and we discussed the situation between West Ham and Chelsea," he added. "I
told him what I thought and this morning told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon
what I think about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea.
"He is a man that is a link between me and the players and between me and
the staff. He knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs. "When
he told me about his projects I said to him I could be the man who would
open more chances for him to be the head coach in England or in other
countries. "And I said I would give him more responsibility at Chelsea and
would tell the press that Steve wanted to fly alone in the future. "I don't
know what happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard
he had resigned."
A Chelsea spokesman today said: "Chelsea can confirm that West Ham have made
an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke. "They have not been
given permission to talk to him. "Steve Clarke has tendered his resignation
as assistant first team coach. We have not accepted his resignation. Talks
are continuing."
It is understood that Clarke has signed a three-year contract at West Ham
with details due to be announced in the next few days. Clarke, 45, has been
at Stamford Bridge for over 20 years as player and coach and was voted into
the fans' team of the century in 2005. Zola was also voted Chelsea fans'
all-time favourite player and the duo's profile at West Ham will no doubt be
raised when Chelsea host West Ham on Dec 13.
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Chelsea boss Scolari saddened by Clarke's desire to join Zola at West Ham -
Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:54 PM on 12th September 2008
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari understands why assistant manager Steve
Clarke wants to leave for West Ham. The Scot handed in his resignation this
morning after an approach to link up with the Hammers' new manager
Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park. Chelsea have not accepted his resignation and
will be seeking compensation but Scolari has already wished him well in his
new post. He said: 'Now I have been told he is going I am sad but I
understand Steve. All people have projects in their life. 'I don't agree
with his decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie. I like him
as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the best.'
Scolari had made efforts to persuade Clarke, whom he regards as his expert
on English football, to stay. 'Yesterday I invited Steve to visit my house
and we discussed the situation between West Ham and Chelsea,' he added. 'I
told him what I thought and this morning told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon
what I think about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea.
'He is a man that is a link between me and the players and between me and
the staff. He knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs. 'When
he told me about his projects I said to him I could be the man who would
open more chances for him to be the head coach in England or in other
countries. 'And I said I would give him more responsibility at Chelsea and
would tell the press that Steve wanted to fly alone in the future. 'I don't
know what happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard
he had resigned.'
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Just when things were looking bright - CMonYuIrons
12 September 2008
I am beginning to think we are jinxed, and soon to be hated by 1000's of
holiday makers who see us wearing XL Holidays on our shirts. XL have gone
bust, leaving 1000's of people out of pocket and maybe a hell of a lot
stranded on holiday. An excerpt from the XL website says:
Customers booked with XL Airways Through XL.com or XL Call Centres
Unfortunately, customers who booked either through xl.com or xl call centres
are not ATOL protected. Consequently, you will be ineligible for a refund
from ATOL in respect of your flight.
Customers currently abroad
The CAA will be able to make arrangements for your return journey. As you
fall into an unprotected category of customers you will be invoiced a fee on
your return to the UK. Please check on the ATOL website (www.atol.org.uk)
for details or go to the local airport ticketing desk where they will be
able to make arrangements and inform passengers of the likely costs.
We have to find new sponsors so we do not have to wear the XL logo on our
shirts, and West Ham should replace the shirts we have already bought with
or without a logo on it.
This post was submitted by Martin Samuel.
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Di Michele welcomes fellow Italian Zola to West Ham
12.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
David Di Michele has welcomed the appointment of fellow Italian Gianfranco
Zola as new West Ham manager. "For me, it is very important to find a figure
like Zola here, both because of the language we speak and his long
experience here in England," said Di Michele. "He left a great memory, is a
real person and this is greatly appreciated. "I look forward to begin
working with Zola. The climate? Here it is much more serene, there are no
fans at training and I'm working calmly preparing for the weekend."
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Grant: Hammers have not learned - expressandstar.com
Peter Grant renews acquaintances with West Ham believing history is
repeating itself with the latest 'fire sale' at Upton Park. Albion's
first-team coach watched with interest, as Alan Curbishley quit over the
£12.5m sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney. Grant, who helped the
Hammers to a top-10 finish and an FA Cup final, fears events of the last few
weeks show they have not learned from errors of the past. He helped former
boss Alan Pardew pick up the pieces after the last downturn in the Hammers'
fortunes but he fears new boss Gianfranco Zola faces another rebuilding job.
Grant recalled: "West Ham were taught a lesson when they were relegated and
were having to sell players for £6-7million. It was a travesty. We were
replacing them with players who cost us £250,000. "They've gone back to that
higher level again and I thought they would have learned. Perhaps that's why
they're selling players quicker than they were. "Alan Curbishley is right –
he could only make one decision. It's a shame, because West Ham is a
fantastic club with great fans who are passionate and like to see their
sides play with a certain swagger.
"They'd rather win 5-4 than 1-0. They want to be entertained. They are a
working man's club because they're still a club where the fanbase is full of
people who work incredibly hard for a living. "It's a traditional club and
it's a shame what's happened. There is more power with owners than managers.
"It's a complete turnaround. When I was there, Terence Brown was chairman
and he was fantastic. It was a great learning experience for me during my
three years there. "After every game he'd be the same with you and try and
help you. He was a supporter who wanted the club to do well. I look at it
now and it's turned into a business very quickly."
Grant believes the board taking team matters out of the manager's hands is a
dangerous route for any club to follow. He said: "We're not used to it, but
abroad you have a head coach. You don't manage – someone else brings the
players in and you can turn up to the training ground and there will be a
player you don't even know.
"That's the way we're moving and that's what's happened at West Ham. I
remember when Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascerano came in, they were
world-class players but the move was too soon for where we were at the time.
"The biggest thing a manager asks for is that he picks the team. If the best
players are being brought into the club, then that's fantastic. "But if they
aren't playing well and don't deserve to be in the team, then surely the
manager must have the power to not put him in."
This article posted on September 12, 2008 at 1:31 pm.
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West Ham winger is 'fully-focused' despite personal problems - Guardian
Series
11:47am Friday 12th September 2008
WEST Ham United winger Matty Etherington is "fully-focused" on Saturday's
Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion, despite tabloid revelations
over his gambling problems. Etherington has been handed a £300,000 wage
advance by the Hammers to help him settle his debts with an overseas-based
creditor. A condition of the club's decision to lend the 27-year-old the
cash is that the player seeks help for his addiction. Etherington spent time
at the Sporting Chance clinic last year in a bid to overcome his illness,
but the treatment did not rid the player of his gambling obsession. This
week, it was revealed that the Billericay-based midfielder had racked up
six-figure debts. But caretaker manager Kevin Keen, who will be in the
dugout at the Hawthorns before new boss Gianfranco Zola takes charge on
Monday, insisted Etherington's mind is on the job. "Matt is fully-focused.
The only problem he's had is that he's had a little bit of an illness but
he's in contention for tomorrow," said the reserve team manager. "He's a
good pro, a wonderful trainer and is somebody who is really good to work
with so I'm sure he'll be really up for it." Dealing with Etherington's
personal issues has been just one of the added challenges Keen has faced
during his week in the hot-seat following Alan Curbishley's resignation on
September 3. But the 41-year-old has relished the extra responsibility.
"Yes, a lot more. It's been a really good learning exercise for me," he
said. "I'm honoured that the club asked me to be caretaker manager and, even
though it's been a week, there's a lot of things that come up that you don't
realise when you're reserve team manager. "You've just got so many more
things to think about - the kit man's has things you need to do, the physio
has got to tell you about injuries and you've got to worry about the
internationals and about West Brom and how they play, rather than with the
reserves where I have a group of youngsters who I work with every day and
who I know and trust. "It's just been a completely different experience and
I've thoroughly enjoyed it."
Enjoyed it so much, in fact, that Keen is planning to follow Zola into
full-time management in the future. "All I've ever known since I left school
is football. As a player I wanted to be the best I could be and I want to be
the best coach I can be and if that leads on to management in the future
then it's certainly something I might be interested in," he revealed.
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Zola has his eyes fixed on silveware with Hammers - sport.co.uk
Author: Deniz Vehbi
Posted on: 12 September 2008 - 09:28
Gianfranco Zola is adamant that his time at West Ham can be every bit as
successful as his seven years at Chelsea. The former Italy international,
who was voted as Chelsea's best ever player, lit up the Premier League while
at Stamford Bridge, scoring 80 goals in 312 appearances.And despite winning
two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners Cup and a League Cup, the former Parma
and Napoli man believes he could taste yet more success after signing on at
West Ham. "I had seven wonderful years with Chelsea and it's something I
will never forget," he said. "But here I have the opportunity of another
experience - as a manager. "I hope it will be as good as those seven years
were. What is important at the present is that this club has faith in me. "I
am totally focused on what I am doing here with West Ham. "I am very
delighted to be here. It's a great honour for me, to be given such an
important job. I promise that I will do my best to raise the goodness of
this club.
"It's a club that's got tradition, it's always created good talents, so I'm
here to develop them, develop the team - to develop the players as a single
player first, and then also as a team. "That is my duty, and as I said, I
will do it with all of myself. I will give to these players all of my
experience and all my knowledge. "I am here just to be somebody good for
them to become better players. That is my aim, and as I said I will do
everything I can to succeed in this."
Zola's move to east London could harm his chances of one day taking over as
manager at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea supporters unlikely to be delighted
at seeing their former hero in a rival's dugout. But he insists that his
main focus is West Ham and has hit out at reports claiming his latest
appointment is simply a stepping stone towards Stamford Bridge. "I had seven
great years with Chelsea and I hope that my next few years will be as good
as the first seven. "That's my aim and my target. But people have to try to
understand that I have a new job and I'll do everything I can in my power to
make it work. "Is this job a stepping stone? I like to work and to think
step by step. This is a very important part of my life and I am totally
focused on what I'm doing. "What the future holds for me is something that I
don't know about, but what is important is the present. The present is this
club - they have got faith in me and I will try to make it work for them."
After spending a year working with the Italy under-21 side, Zola is
relishing the prospect of working in the Premier League and insists his lack
of experience will not prove his downfall. "I will certainly give something
to this club," said the Sardinia-born striker. "Whether it's going to be
enough or not, it's hard to say that. But I trust my knowledge a lot, and my
knowledge of the game. "I think that the players will help me in this. I'll
help them, they'll help me, so I'm very confident that it will be all right.
"This club is ambitious and I'm ambitious as well. I want us to get better
and better and maybe one day reach the Champions League. "Ambition is very
important. There is a lot of work ahead but that doesn't worry me. You must
always have a dream in front of you. It doesn't matter how ambitious that
target is, as long as you work hard and do your best."
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Vialli backs Zola to prosper at Upton Park - sport.co.uk
Author: Zehaad Hassan
Posted on: 12 September 2008 - 09:28
Gianluca Vialli believes his former team-mate Gianfranco Zola will have no
problems ditching his links with Chelsea and is tipping him to become a
major success at West Ham. A number of West Ham fans have already questioned
the appointment of Chelsea legend Zola as their new manager and believe he
is the wrong man to succeed Alan Curbishley.Zola was the club's first choice
to take over the managerial position at Upton Park and the West Ham board do
not believe they are taking a gamble, despite his lack of experience
managing a club side. Vialli also managed Zola at Chelsea has no doubts the
Italian superstar will win over the West Ham fans and bring silverware back
to east London. Vialli said: "I think he will be a success. Gianfranco has
to agree with West Ham where the club wants to go. "If they stay up, will
that be a good result? Do they want him to win the Champions League or
qualify for Europe? "Once they agree on that, it will be easier for
Gianfranco to set his sights on their objectives. "I think the fans will
love him. They need to give him time to adjust and prove himself. He needs
the support of the fans to back him and be right behind him. "It is hard
anyway for a manager, even harder when it is your first job. But it is less
hard when you have spent eight years playing in the Premier League so you
know the game inside-out in England."
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West Brom man James Morrison expecting fired up Hammers test -
BirminghamPost.net
Sep 12 2008
West Brom midfielder James Morrison expects to be facing a West Ham side
determined to prove a point to new manager Gianfranco Zola at The Hawthorns
on Saturday. All the West Ham players will be keen to make an immediate
impression and Morrison is well aware that will make Albion's challenge even
tougher as they go in search of their first win of the season. "You do
wonder what condition the West Ham players are going to be in," he said.
"With a new manager coming in they will be fighting for their places and
trying to impress Zola. "We have to be on the top of our game and hopefully
get the all important break to give us a win."
Despite the fact Albion have only collected a point from their opening three
matches, Morrison insists the mood in the camp remains upbeat. The Scotland
international believes the way Albion have played against Arsenal, Everton
and Bolton has not been reflected in their points return. He added: "We have
come off the field in our first few games disappointed that we haven't got
our first win of the season. "We have been working hard in training and
hopefully we can get a fluke goal to set us on our way and off and running."
Goals have been hard to come by as Albion have yet to score in open play
with their only strike so far was Roman Bednar's penalty in the 2-1 defeat
at the hands of Everton. Morrison said: "I think everyone has got to get a
few goals to keep the pressure off the strikers. "Ishmael Miller and Roman
Bednar have been staying behind after training to put in more work so it is
obviously playing on their minds at the moment. I am sure they are trying to
put it right." Morrison knows Albion have to hit winning form soon. He
added: "In the Premiership you cannot afford not to be right on top of your
game. "We have got to concentrate for 90 minutes.
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Clarke quits Blues to join Gianfranco
Ken Dyer, Evening Standard
12.09.08 Related
Chelsea coach Steve Clarke has resigned to join Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.
Zola, who was today meeting the West Ham players for the first time, has
chosen his friend Clarke to be No2 at Upton Park. The Scot, who has survived
a succession of managers at Stamford Bridge, is said to be keen on a new
challenge following the arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari as Chelsea manager.
But Chelsea were reluctant to let him go prompting extensive negotiations
after Zola flew in from Rome yesterday.
In the end, it appears that Clarke - who will be offered a three-year-deal
at Upton Park - felt there was no other option but to resign from his post.
It is not yet clear whether Chelsea have accepted his resignation or will
demand compensation of around £1.2million for the 45-year-old, who has two
years left on his Blues contract.
A compensation claim is the last thing West Ham need given the financial
problems facing the club following the collapse of shirt sponsor XL. The
holiday company, which has two years remaining on a three-year £7.5m deal
with the Hammers, has gone into administration blaming fuel prices and the
economic downturn. In 2006, Crawley-based XL underwent a management buy-out
financed by two Icelandic banks, including Landsbanki, which counts West Ham
owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson as its major shareholder.
Gudmundsson financed a major spending spree on new players following his
arrival at Upton Park the same year, but the club spent little in the last
transfer window season and sold nearly £20m worth of talent. The Hammers may
now be forced to find a new main sponsor amid tougher worldwide economic
conditions. Kevin Keen, the current reserve team coach, will take charge of
the team at West Brom tomorrow while Zola will watch from the grandstand.
The 42-year-old Sardinian will also have former Chelsea, Monaco and Juventus
fitness coach Antonio Pintus as part of his team but will be especially keen
to have Clarke on board to help the defensive organisation. It is understood
that Zola became West Ham's overwhelming choice after meeting chief
executive Scott Duxbury in Rome. Roberto Donadoni was emerging as the hot
favourite to succeed Alan Curbishley but Zola's vision, enthusiasm and ideas
changed things. Zola, voted Chelsea's 'best ever player' after his seven
seasons at Stamford Bridge, promised exciting, "offensive" football at West
Ham and said his target was to elevate West Ham to Champions League
qualification. "My philosophy is to play offensive football, to make it
enjoyable for the players and the crowd," he said."Yes, the team has to be
balanced but it will be positive. It is a challenge but I like challenges. I
am not afraid of it."
Zola also denied suggestions that it will be technical director Gianluca
Nani and not him, who will oversee the signing of new players. "We are a
team, myself, Gianluca and the board," he said. "But I will have the final
say on the team, on who to bring in and who goes out." The former Napoli
and Parma star also believes he can win over a minority of West Ham fans who
will be against him because of his past Chelsea links. "I enjoyed my seven
years at Chelsea but that has gone now," he said.
"I hope the West Ham fans will enjoy what they see out on the pitch. Once
the players realise what I want, I think the supporters will see a change
and it will be quick."
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Boss puts defence on red alert - wbapremiumtv.co.uk
Posted on: Fri 12 Sep 2008
TONY Mowbray has put his defence on red alert against West Ham's strikeforce
tomorrow (ko 3pm). The fifth-placed Hammers will arrive at The Hawthorns
with memories of a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on their last Premier
League trip. But they will be hoping to convert the home form that saw a
Christopher Samba own goal and strikes from Calum Davenport, Craig Bellamy
and Carlton Cole give them a convincing 4-1 win over Blackburn at Upton Park
last time out. A result Mowbray feels emphasises how dangerous United can be
on their day. "When they play they have got some very good players,
particularly at the cutting edge of their team in Craig Bellamy, Dean
Ashton, Carlton Cole and young Mark Noble," said the Baggies boss. "They've
got people who can score goals. "Hopefully it will be an interesting and
exciting game and one where there will be a few goals."
The East Londoners will arrive in the Black Country with a new manager at
the helm after Gianfranco Zola yesterday filled the vacancy left by Alan
Curbishley. But Mowbray is unsure how much of an influence the Italian boss,
who graced the Premier League as a Chelsea player, will have on Saturday's
proceedings. "Is Gianfranco Zola going to be sitting in the stand?" he
added. "Is he going to be going in the dressing room before and after the
game? "If they win is it his game?
"If they lose is it his game? "You tell me. "I don't know Gianfranco Zola.
"I know of him - he was a great player who lit up the Premier League when he
was here.
"He's one of the best foreign players to grace the Premier League I would
suggest. "But as a manager obviously we don't know. "I've only seen him on
the other side of the camera and it looks as if he has honesty, integrity,
humility, a smile on his face - he looks an endearing character. "We will
wait and see how he gets on."
Mowbray's only concern is for his men to chalk up their first win of the
season as soon as possible. And he remains confident that first precious
victory is just around the corner. "The longer you don't win a game it does
become a problem because journalists write about it, the players read it and
psychologically it starts to get inside their head," he said. "The sooner we
get a win the sooner people will stop writing about it and the sooner we put
four goals past someone the sooner people will stop writing we can't score
goals. "We've just got to keep going and try to enjoy the league. "The
longer we go without a win the more it becomes an issue because every week I
get asked the same question. "If the performance-level stays as high as it
has been, we will win games. "Let's wait and see. "I'm not frustrated about
it.
"If we weren't creating chances I'd be a bit concerned - but we are. "We've
created enough chances in the Premier League to win games. "I sat and
watched Villa and Liverpool and on the evidence of that game they could
still be playing now and not have scored! "Let's talk about all this after a
dozen matches."
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Zola has confidence in his own ability - Sunday Sun
Sep 12 2008
Gianfranco Zola on Thursday night pledged to liberate West Ham's players by
putting the smiles back on their faces. Zola beamed his way through a press
conference held to announce his appointment as Alan Curbishley's successor
and proceeded to outline his footballing philosophy. "Football is joy. The
best part of the game comes when you are enjoying what you're doing," he
said. "So my first target will be to make it as enjoyable as possible for
the players." He added: "Once they realise that I'm sure their performances
will be better. The crowd will enjoy it more too. "My philosophy is to play
offensive football. I've always played that way because I trust it. "It will
be quicker for my philosophy to take effect than many people think. "Once
the players realise what I want from them and feel the freedom, it will
happen quickly. "But I haven't seen the players yet. I need to judge the
situation with my eyes. "I'm aware of the high expectations of West Ham
fans. This is a challenge but I like challenges. I'm not afraid."
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West Ham chief Nani confirms Chelsea talks over Clarke
12.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham chief Gianluca Nani has confirmed they're in talks for Chelsea
coach Steve Clarke. Gianfranco Zola wants the Scot as his new No2 and Nani
said: "We hope the situation will be resolved in the next 24 hours." But,
after talks yesterday, Blues boss Phil Scolari told his No2 he expects him
to stay while chief executive Peter Kenyon also tried to convince Clarke he
should remain at Stamford Bridge.
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West Ham wait as Clarke resigns from Chelsea
12.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Steve Clarke has resigned as Chelsea coach. The Times says Clarke resigned
as Chelsea's assistant first-team coach yesterday evening to pave the way
for a move to West Ham United, where he will work in a similar capacity
under Gianfranco Zola, the new manager. The former Scotland defender has
agreed a three-year contract at Upton Park and his appointment will be
announced in the next few days, once the club have agreed a severance
package with Chelsea. The West London club are demanding £1.2 million in
compensation because Clarke has two years left to run on his contract.
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Zola insists he has final say on West Ham transfers
12.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Gianfranco Zola insists he will have final say on all transfers at West Ham
United. The Italian succeeds Alan Curbishley who resigned last week after
claiming the Hammers board were selling players over his head. But when
asked who buys and sells the players, Zola said: "Me! First I'll see the
team, see who they are, the make a consideration if something is to be
done." Zola, 42, also insisted he will have no problems working with
director of football and compatriot Gianluca Nani.
The former Chelsea star said: "We are a team, GN and the board are part of
the team. Once I see how the team is we make plans, whether to buy or sell.
"I have no problem working with a technical director. My job is working on
the pitch. "I'll develop the players, then I'll report to the technical
director. He's working with me, not against me. We'll do what's good for the
club."
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