By Simon Austin
West Ham's vice chairman has rejected Alan Curbishley's claims that the
club's transfer policy represented a "breach of his trust and confidence".
Curbishley stepped down as Hammers boss on Wednesday, complaining that
transfer decisions had been made without him. "We agreed a transfer budget
and the way forward at an April board meeting," Asgeir Fridgeirsson told BBC
Sport. "Alan agreed with the plans, but was then reluctant to reach all the
difficult decisions about the squad."
The final straw for Curbishley was the transfer deadline day sale of George
McCartney to Sunderland. Only a few days earlier, the 50-year-old had vowed
not to sell any more players following the summer departures of John
Pantsil, Bobby Zamora, Richard Wright and Anton Ferdinand. But
Fridgeirsson, who is owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's right-hand man, said
Curbishley was fully aware of the need to trim the club's wage bill. "If
Alan had made this claim in April, when discussing our budget and plans for
the forthcoming season, he might have a legitimate complaint," added
Fridgeirsson. "But he went to all the board meetings and was a dominant
voice."
Fridgeirsson also defended the management structure at the club, under which
chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani take a
lead in transfer policy. "About a year ago, we began to feel we were
vulnerable in having a structure with one manager who runs all football
matters," he said. "If the manager leaves, where does it leave you? So we
decided to build an infrastructure and philosophy for the club, which would
provide continuity. "We want a strong English club with English players,
with its roots in the academy." Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has been eager
to build a more "sustainable" club
The Hammers have also invested heavily in their medical and training
facilities in the last year. Work on a new training ground is planned to
start early next summer and several new appointments have been made to the
medical department. "We have £100m in assets in terms of players and a
£55m-plus salary bill, so it's crucial to look after the players and get the
best out of them," said the vice chairman. "We have been gathering
experience from other clubs on the continent in this regard. We have
recruited an osteopath from AC Milan, who has done excellent work with
players such as Craig Bellamy. "If you look at a club like Milan, the
medical department belongs to the club. A manager might be tempted to take a
short-term view to medical matters, choosing to field an injured player in a
crucial match. "But at AC Milan, the same doctor has been looking after
Paolo Maldini's knee for the last 20 years."
The board has already embarked on the process of finding a new manager. A
checklist of qualities needed by the new man were drawn up on Wednesday,
before Nani and Duxbury started drawing up a list of potential candidates.
"I have asked for a comprehensive list, in terms of nationality, experience
and qualifications," Fridgeirsson said. "The parameters go along with what
we are trying to achieve at the club. The key element is that we want this
to be a sustainable club." This list will be whittled down to a shortlist of
five to seven names as early as next week. Fridgeirsson admitted that a few
names had already been thrown into the mix but that "it is totally
innaccurate to say we have anyone lined up for the job already".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pearce rules out Hammers - SSN
Manager committed to England Under 21s
Last updated: 4th September 2008
England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce has insisted that he will not be
replacing Alan Curbishley at West Ham. Curbishley resigned from his Upton
Park post on Wednesday, citing 'a breach of trust and confidence' over the
club's recent transfer dealings. The Hammers are now understood to be
considering an initial list of 30 possible candidates for the job but Pearce
has stressed that he will not be standing down from his current role. Pearce
spent two seasons with West Ham as a player but he maintains that he is
fully committed to the England Under 21 side. "You can bet with me. I will
take your bet any time," Pearce said as he prepared for Friday's qualifier
against Portugal. "I manage this team. I am very proud to do so and will not
be stepping down from this job, because I love the job I do. "I said to the
FA bosses when I took this job that I will honour my contract. "I have said
that many times before in the past, and that applies today. "(West Ham and
England Under 21 midfielder) Mark Noble has to know that I will be his
manager next summer when we go to the tournament."
Despite ruling himself out of the running, Pearce does hope that an English
manager succeeds Curbishley. He said: "There are a lot fantastic English
managers about. What happens nowadays is we knock what we have got under our
own noses, and that can be absolutely fatal. "Alan Curbishley is a fantastic
manager with a great deal of experience who has proved himself time and
again in the Premier League. That is what Alan is in my eyes, and that will
never diminish."
Pearce also offered his thoughts on Kevin Keegan, whose future as Newcastle
manager remains unclear. Keegan has missed training for the last three days
and reports have been circulating for days that he may be about to leave the
club, but Pearce believes the domestic game would be poorer without him. He
explained: "I have worked for Kevin at club and international level as a
coach and a player. "Kevin is a fantastic and honourable man, very committed
to what he does and if he is outside English football, I think it is a shame
for English football. "The feeling of emotion in the Newcastle area for
Kevin Keegan with the supporters is unrivalled anywhere in the country. "I
have worked for that football club and know what the passion is like up
there. "Hopefully Kevin will come back and be involved in the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Snake in the grass - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 4th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kia Joorabchian has backed the board of West Ham following Alan Curbishley's
resignation. Joorabchian, whose attempt to buy West Ham United in 2006 ended
in failure is now working with the club as 'transfer adviser' after a deal
was struck between the two parties in an out of court settlement earlier
this year - a settlement that prevented the Iranian businessman from suing
the club for lost earnings totalling £7.1million relating to the transfer of
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
Talking to the BBC, he revealed that he felt sympathy for Curbishley -
before accusing him of being out of touch with the modern game.
"I feel for Alan because he's a manager who resigned under pressure," said
Joorabchian. "But now the game is so competitive that I think every manager
understands that there are three major issues. "One, you have to succeed in
the transfer window. Second, you have show that you have a winning side and
thirdly, when you're at a club like West Ham you have to play good football
as well because they [the fans] want to see the beautiful game. "I think
it's very sad what happened to West Ham in the last year. This current board
left it in the hands of someone they assumed was capable and things went
wrong. Now consulting the board, I'd like to see West Ham have a successful
season. "The situation with Alan was that in the last two years he has been
the person that has made most of the decisions in regards to the incomings
of Boa Morte and Nigel Quashie, Kieron Dyer, Ljungberg etc - the list goes
on. He was very much involved in those. It was pretty clear cut. "I think
the board has had a very difficult task this year. If you have a lot of
players on high salaries that are not very productive the first stage is to
release some of that structure in order to be able to get into the transfer
market again. "The board have to balance the books. When we look at a figure
of around £6million for George McCartney and £8million for Anton Ferdinand,
it's a very tough number to reject when you think that City bought
Argentinian international Pablo Zableta for around £7million. When you look
around, it becomes a tough thing for the board to reject."
Joorabchian also gave further insight into his role at West Ham United - a
role that the club's board, for reasons unknown, have never seen fit to
publicise. "I'm a consultant to West Ham so don't get involved in board
decisions or sit on board meetings," he added. "I'm just an outside adviser
who advises them on transfers and other football decisions that they want to
make. "We will discuss the targets they are looking for and potential ways
of getting them. Since the Magnusson reign the board realised there were a
lot of mistakes made during that period. "I guess the salaries that were
being given and the players brought in were probably not what the board's
idea was on taking the club forward. As you can see this year it's been a
very costly situation for them having to terminate the contracts of
Ljungberg and other players. "We took a back role in the McCartney transfer,
I was personally not involved but my company was. We don't really get
involved in masses of players or try to take control of clubs. Our business
model is a little bit different, we don't expect the clubs to take a risk as
we take the risks - as in the case of Mascherano and Tevez. "But what is
essential is that if you bring in a sporting director or adviser, they have
to support the manager - they have to be a team, have a good unit. Rather
than the director or consultant being on the board side he should be behind
the manager helping and aiding the manager in picking and identifying
players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Anton puts the boot in - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 4th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Anton Ferdinand has had a dig at his former club by expressing his surprise
at the sale of George McCartney. Ferdinand and McCartney formed half of West
Ham United's best defence in years last season - however both are now at
Sunderland having been sold by the club's board. And Ferdinand couldn't
resist having a dig at his former paymasters when asked about Sunderland's
(estimated) £6m capture of McCartney. "I was surprised when West Ham let
George go. But that's what's happening down there at the moment," he said.
"He's a very consistent player and he played every game last year for West
Ham. It was very rare for him to be below par. He was at least a seven out
of ten in pretty much every game he played. "George is one of the most
consistent players I've ever played with, and that's why I was surprised
West Ham let him go - but let's just leave it at that."
Alan Curbishley revealed yesterday that it was the sale of the reliable
McCartney - whom he described as 'one of the best left-backs in the Premier
League' - that led him to resign from his position in protests at the
board's decision to sell off members of his first team squad.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parlo wants Hammers return - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 4th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Paolo Di Canio has been talking about his chances of one day managing West
Ham United. The former fans' favourite is now a fully qualified coach having
taken his badges earlier this year, and is therefore able to land a job in
the UK. The Italian, who spent six years at West Ham insists that were he to
come to England only the West Ham job would interest him - although he
realises that he needs to work his way up. Despite this he has been touted
as a possible successor to Alan Curbishley, who resigned from his post on
Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences with the club's board.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mancini, assumptions West Ham - soccerway.com ( translated with Google
translate! - Peter R )
Written by: SuperSportManager.com
2008-09-04 14:07:38
The Premier League could be the future of Roberto Mancini: not at Stamford
Bridge, even at the court of multi City, but on the bench most of 'modest
West Ham which needs a new coach after the resignation by Alan Courbishley
contrary to the club for a campaign not shared purchases and that, among
others, led London David Di Michele after that, in summer, was Valon Behrami
to achieve the 'Hammers'.
The assumptions and 'suggestive, the track certainly ahead even if there' to
beat competition from a certain Slaven Bilic, idol of supporters from player
and ready to collect the legacy 'of technical after the positive experience
on the bench Croatia to the last Europeans. If, on the one hand, the problem
of recruitment (about 6 million per season) represents an obstacle to
dirgenza London, on the other hand, the desire of 'Mancio' about getting
into the game and 'a lot.
Probably the former technical nerazzurro waiting 'an ambitious project even
if the' big 'of Europe have already' placed their benches. Scolari seems to
be a barrel of iron to Chelsea, Guardiola and 'an idol in Barcelona and
Schuster appreciated at Real. A Mancini need rilanciarsi and pink of
'Hammers' not' evil groped for the first adventure by technical Oltremanica.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham considers 30 candidates for manager's job - sportsillustrated
LONDON (AP) -About 30 candidates are in the running for the vacant manager's
job at West Ham. Sky Sports News reported Thursday that the slew of
candidates was being considered for the post vacated by Alan Curbishley and
that the Premier League club would come up with a shortlist before unveiling
their new man next week.
Kevin Keen has been installed as caretaker manager. Curbishley quit the job
Wednesday, claiming his position had been undermined because the club made
decisions without involving him. Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, a former
West Ham manager, was touted for a return to Upton Park, but he claimed the
club's management structure was flawed. "Players are bought and sold without
the manager's consent - and even knowledge in some cases,'' Redknapp told
The Sun newspaper. "How can you do the job like that?''
Former Hammers player Stuart Pearce, the England under-21 manager, also
ruled himself out. "I manage this team (England),'' Pearce said. "I am very
proud to do so and will not be stepping down from this job, because I love
the job I do. I said to the FA bosses when I took this job that I will honor
my contract. I have said that many times before in the past, and that
applies today.''
Another former West Ham player, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, was installed as
the 15-8 favorite, but he was lukewarm about the prospect of moving to back
to London.
"I get calls from England all the time, just like before,'' Bilic said
Monday, before Curbishley's resignation. "But I can't say anything about
West Ham United. Now that the (World Cup qualifying) game with England is
getting closer, they will write more about me coming there. I signed new
contract to coach Croatia and that's all I can say. I will continue my job
as national team coach until the end of World Cup 2010.''
Roberto Mancini, who was fired by Inter Milan, is a 5-1 bet for the job, and
former Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is rated at 7-1. Another
candidate, Davide Ballardini, joined Italian team Parma on Thursday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Candidates drop out of Hammers race - e24
04 September 2008
THE shortlist for Alan Curbishley's replacement as West Ham manager grew a
little shorter today after two of the leading candidates to take over at
Upton Park distanced themselves from the job. Slaven Bilic, who was
installed as the early favourite to take over after Curbishley quit the club
on Wednesday, has revealed that he is committed to his current position as
Croatia boss. And Harry Redknapp has insisted there is "no way" he will
leave Portsmouth to return to Upton Park, where he was manager for seven
years until 2001. Former Hammers defender Bilic, who is preparing his
Croatia team for next week's World Cup qualifying match against England in
Zagreb, admits that he would jump at the opportunity to manage West Ham in
the future. But he said that the position has come at the wrong time as he
attempts to steer Croatia to the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
"I always said that, if I come back to English football, I want it to be as
manager of West Ham," Bilic said. "But I have a contract with Croatia until
2010 and intend to honour it."
Meanwhile Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running and declared his
admiration for Curbishley, who quit the club after transfer decisions were
taken out of his hands. Redknapp said: "Alan Curbishley may have gone as
West Ham boss - but there's no way I'll replace him. "Curbs quit because he
feels he has been undermined and shown a lack of trust by the owner. I take
my hat off to him for sticking to his principles. "Don't get me wrong, West
Ham is a fantastic club, with fantastic fans and - having gone there aged 15
- it has a special place in my heart. "But I love it at Portsmouth and I
have one big advantage over a lot of Premier League bosses these days: I've
got an owner who lets the manager manage. "The days of managing as I know it
are coming to end - you will basically be given players and told to get on
with it. "West Ham sold players and it was nothing to do with Alan - but
that will happen more and more. "Let's face it, the way it's going, every
Premier League club will be owned by a foreign billionaire. "They all want
to win the title, they all want to be in the Champions League and if they
don't get it they'll be changing managers like we change socks. It will be a
revolving door that never stops turning. "And while we're at it, we might as
well sack all the scouts too, as there won't be any need if players are
coming and going above managers' heads.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Johnson Staying Put - thenetcentre
Amidst speculation that Gary Johnson has been lined up to succeed Alan
Curbishley as West Ham manager, the Net Centre has learned that City's boss
is not in the frame for the Upton Park job. Rumours have been flying around
the internet in the wake of Curbishley's departure, with some fans
speculating that Bristol City chairman, Steve Lansdown, has given West Ham
permission to talk to their board about the managerial vacancy. However, the
Net Centre has learned that Johnson is not being lined up for the job with
the Hammers and has not been given permission to talk to the club and that
no approach has been recieved from the East London club. A source close to
Johnson said, "It's simply not true. It's amazing how these sort of stories
get made up and gather momentum on the internet, to the point where they
become fact." With City unbeaten and sitting fourth in the Championship this
season- the position they finished in last May - it will be a huge relief to
most City fans that their highly successful manager will be staying at
Ashton Gate.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mancini Moves To Top Of List For West Ham Manager - West Ham fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 4 September, 2008 - 13:30.
Croatian manager Slaven Bilic and Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp, both
ex-Hammers of course, have ruled themselves out of succeeding Alan
Curbishley as manager of West Ham United. With the appointment of Davide
Ballardini as manager of Palermo earlier today, the serious money is now on
Roberto Mancini who was manager of Inter Milan before being replaced by Jose
Mourinho. Having lead the Italian giants to three Serie A titles, the
appointment of Mancini could represent a bit of a coup for the under fire
board at West Ham. Fans need appeasing and what better way to keep them
happy than by securing the services of a top manager, incidentally one who
is used to and would be content to work with a 'director' of football.
Mancini and Gian Luca Nani know each other well and if they could possibly
factor in Paolo Di Canio into the equation as Mancini's No2 then they might
be able to present supporters with a real 'dream team' that could go a long
way to repairing the damage done of late. After all, Hammers sit towards the
top of the table and who ever takes over will be blessed with one of the
kindest set of initial fixtures they could possibly have wished for! -
Ed....
PS: News that Hammers have a list of thirty candidates should be taken with
a liberal pinch of salt, apparently there is an aplication from a certain
Doris the Tea Lady!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We'll sing his Name - Cmon Yu Irons
4 September 2008
The West Ham wage bill last season was costing the club £50m, We had a squad
of about 35 players and at least 8 players had to go, I was not happy with
McCartney going but that was a choice of his own. In my view, the Board have
done everything they set out to do and warned the West Ham fans and
management what their target was before we buy new players, Curbishley
already knew this, and we still need to move players on with Quashie and Boa
Morte being the first to go. We do not have the greatest skilled squad in
the Premier League but we do have some up and coming talent that have the
badge tattooed on their hearts. BG and his board are not out to destroy this
club but only to make it successful financially and as a Premier League
club. Lets have faith in the people that run West Ham and lets get behind
Kevin Keen, I am excited about our next game against WBA where we can sing
Keeno's name, are you?
This post was submitted by Martin Samuel.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Anton Ferdinand believes West Ham have resumed selling status - Telegraph
Anton Ferdinand believes the sale of George McCartney is emblematic that
West Ham have returned to their status as a selling club.
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 1:21PM BST 04 Sep 2008
Ferdinand and McCartney were both sold to Sunderland without the blessing of
manager Alan Curbishley, who cited their departures as the reason behind his
resignation yesterday. And Ferdinand, echoing a similar stance to former
teammate Bobby Zamora earlier this summer, believes the latest fire-sale at
Upton Park is indicative of the direction the club is now taking under the
embattled Icelandic ownership, hit hard by the current global recession. "I
was surprised when West Ham let George go. But that's what's happening down
there at the moment," said Ferdinand, who graduated into the first team
through the club's celebrated academy ranks before he was sold on the back
of 138 appearances. When Zamora, a boyhood West Ham supporter raised in one
of the heartland areas of the club's fan base in Barking, signed for Fulham
he issued a prophetic warning that more players would follow through the
exit door. Few, though, envisaged that the club would deliver on the
striker's saddened expectations. But true to Zamora's word, the popular John
Pantsil accompanied him to Craven Cottage as goalkeeper Richard Wright
returned to Ipswich, and both Freddie Ljungberg and Nolberto Solano were
deemed surplus to requirements, told to leave the east London club on a
free. Moreover, goalkeeper Robert Green complained in July that he felt
completely unwanted by the club after they failed to deliver on a promise to
award him an improved deal, while Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy were both
allegedly offered to rival clubs on the eve of the transfer deadline in a
desperate effort to reduce the high wage bill.
Yet Ferdinand, 23, admits he was still surprised by McCartney's decision to
re-sign for Sunderland, two years after leaving the Stadium of Light for
West Ham.
The Northern Ireland full-back was said to have handed in a formal transfer
request opting to leave for personal reasons, but Ferdinand raised doubts
over those official claims. "To be honest, I was surprised when West Ham let
George go. He's a very consistent player and he played every game last year
for West Ham," he said. "It was very rare for him to have been below par. He
was at least a seven out of ten in pretty much every game he played. "George
is one of the most consistent players I've ever played with, and that's why
I was surprised West Ham let him go - but let's just leave it at that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gudmundsson defends West Ham after Curbs axe - tribalfootball
Premiership News
Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 20:42
West Ham United chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson insists they're on
the right track, despite manager Alan Curbishley's departure yesterday. "In
my first full season as chairman of this great football club, I can assure
our loyal supporters that we are working hard to bring sustained success to
West Ham United," he said.
"Everyone, including the chief executive and board, is committed to this
common goal. "We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all
aspects of West Ham United's past, present and future and we will not be
deterred. "Our fans can look forward to many positive years on and off the
pitch."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pearce: Curbishley deserved better at West Ham - tribalfootball
Premiership News
Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 20:53
England U21 boss Stuart Pearce has hit out at the departure of Alan
Curbishley from former club West Ham United. "We have a lot of top-quality
[British] managers," the former City manager said. "The thing that
disappoints me the most is how someone's stock can go from 'through the
roof' to zero, all within a game. I don't live my life in that manner and I
find it quite disappointing that football does."
Pearce believes that Curbishley was given insufficient credit at Upton Park,
where he guided the club to safety from relegation and, last season, to
tenth place despite a welter of injury problems. "He did a good job there,"
Pearce said. "But sometimes when there is a groundswell of opinion against
you, it becomes like a witch-hunt. Curbs is a very good manager who's proven
himself over a number of years in the Premiership. "One thing you can
understand is there's only a certain amount of teams who can finish in the
top half of the league and a certain amount who will finish in the bottom
half of the league. That will be the case over a season. The expectation of
more than half of the teams is to finish in the top half of the league, so
it's difficult. The so-called top four are all expected to finish in the top
four. But if they're not finishing number one, it's a disappointing season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland target Cole wants West Ham stay - tribalfootball
Premiership News
Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 20:57
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has shrugged off talk of a move to Sunderland.
"I don't want the fans to think that I want to leave," Cole said. "I am
happy at West Ham. I have just become a father and I don't want to go
anywhere. "I am really settled in my life and only want to work hard and do
well for West Ham. I am just looking forward to a bright future and, when
the time is right, the deal will be done. "All I am thinking about is
pushing on this season and scoring more goals. That is my main objective. I
am happy with my situation and hopefully I can carry on playing games and
doing my best for West Ham. "When I play, I am happy. Every time I play for
West Ham I try and give 100 per cent. "Hopefully I can stay fit and be
available for selection every game, like I was last season. "The fans have
not seen the best of me. Last season I had my first proper run of games and
I was happy with my tally of appearances - but I want to add more goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paulo di Canio pushes to the front of the queue as West Ham start the search
for a new manager - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man
Last updated at 11:37 AM on 04th September 2008
Paolo di Canio apparently wants to be considered for the West Ham manager's
job. No, that is not a joke, although if he was in charge the appointment
would undoubtedly produce its share of amusing moments. Hatchet Man can
think of few former players who would make worse managers than the Italian.
The emotional, injury faking, fascist saluting, referee pushing ex-striker
may be a favourite for the fans, but he is not the sort of calm,
authoritative leader who would make a great boss. Maybe they could bring him
in partnership with Julian Dicks for a bad boys dream team. One would cut
off errant players at the knees while the other battered the unconverted
into submission with his rabbiting and gesticulation.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment