Filed: Monday, 8th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic is understood to have rejected the opportunity to move to West
Ham. The Croatian manager, speaking in The Sun this morning is quoted as
saying that he intends to remain as head of Croatia for the forseeable
future - denting hopes United had of signing him later this week. "I'm not
going anywhere," said Bilic, according to the story. "Any club from England
is a great opportunity. Not for money, honestly, for me it's about ambition.
It's about working in England, a country you know I adore. "This job is so
uncertain. Look at Kevin Keegan or Alan Curbishley. It's only three games
into the season and I'm supposed to have offers from England. West Ham is my
club; I have feelings for them - but I won't go. And I won't go to
Newcastle. "My wish is to stay here another two years but, if I lose a
couple of games and they say 'off you go' then maybe I will go. "But my
answer is clear. I wouldn't go as things stand. I had many offers in the
period between our win at Wembley last November until I signed a new deal in
May. I decided to stay. Whether that's good for me only God knows."
The only ambiguity in the quotes is Bilic's reference to 'as things stand',
hinting perhaps that he could perhaps change his mind with the right offer.
Meanwhile Michael Laudrup is set to be the latest candidate to be
interviewed when he meets the United board later today. The popular Dane,
who is currently a free agent after leaving his post at Getafe earlier this
year is thought to be one of the few remianing on the club's shortlist - a
list that, along with Bilic, includes Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Donadoni.
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Is Zola the right man for the job? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 8th September 2008
By: Thomas Rooney
The latest development in the West Ham managerial saga is that former
Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola has emerged as the favourite according to
many online football betting websites.
This comes after Croatia boss Slavin Bilic said that he is 'not going
anywhere' when asked about his future. This is, of course, exactly what he
would say and I actually wouldn't rule him out just yet.
However, for now, let us focus on who many believe to be pole position to
land the role if the West Ham board are not prepared to wait for Bilic -
Gianfranco Zola. The 42-year-old - whose only experience of coaching is with
the Italy Under-21 side - is thought to have impressed during the interview
process so far.
It is thought that the Italians' enthusiasm for the game, his knowledge of
the Premier League and his passion for playing attractive football have
meant that he is near the top of West Ham's wish list. I am going to presume
that one of Zola's attributes they failed to mention was 'willingness to buy
and sell exactly who he is told to do so'.
I'll admit this is a very cynical view, but it is also a realistic one is it
not? After the Alan Curbishley fiasco, the West Ham board are hardly likely
to appoint someone who whole heartedly says they will not tolerate
interference from the board are they? Perhaps Zola has made it clear that he
wouldn't be totally against a little involvement from the board. We can only
speculate at this stage I suppose.
So what would I make of Mr Zola in charge of West Ham? Well, I respected him
as a professional and he clearly has a decent knowledge of the game.
However, his lack of managerial experience worries me. It would be a journey
into the unknown for him - that's for sure. There are also doubts over how
much respect he would be shown by the players. A lot of them got on well
with Curbishley and when someone who has limited managerial experience
replaces him, they might not be best pleased. Not to begin with anyway.
There is an argument that Zola's naivety when it comes to management could
play a part in him getting the job. Maybe he is unaware about how much
involvement from the board is considered too much. Then there is the fact
that he is Italian. In European football, it is normal for the director of
football or the clubs owners to have their say on playing and transfer
matters. Zola could easily become the puppet for the West Ham board.
As I think we can all agree, this isn't something we want. It doesn't suit
the English game. Managers should be solely responsible for who to play, who
to buy and who to sell. That obviously didn't suit Curbs, but perhaps Zola
wouldn't mind as much. There might even be an argument that it is better to
have someone in who co-operates with the board. The last thing West Ham
wants as a club is another fall out between board and manager. Something the
club needs is a bit of consistency and stability. I'm not sure that would
happen if a strong character such as Bilic took over. It would be fireworks
from the start in my opinion.
It is worth taking a brief look at who has been linked with the job other
than Bilic and Zola. The name of Michael Laudrap has been banded about and
it is even thought that he is due to have an interview with the club today.
The former Denmark international impressed during his time at Spanish club
Getafe last year and is certainly well respected in the game. Then there is
Roberto Donadoni, the one time Italy manager is also thought to have
impressed when being interviewed for the role.
One thing I think we can be certain of is that the next manager of West Ham
will not be English. I'd put all my football betting money on it. The likes
of Sam Allardyce and Glenn Hoddle have been mentioned, but in my opinion,
after what happened with Alan Curbishley, there won't be any English
managers knocking on the door at Upton Park anytime soon.
All in all, everything still remains up in the air. There are several
candidates who are interested in the vacancy and several who have impressed
the board with their credentials. At this moment in time Gianfranco Zola is
the front runner for the job. I just fear that it is more for his
willingness to take instructions from the board rather than his ability to
manage West Ham United.
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Laudrup out of Hammers race - SSN
Spartak Moscow appoint Hammers target
Last updated: 8th September 2008
Michael Laudrup is out of the running for the vacant manager's job at West
Ham after agreeing to take over at Spartak Moscow. The Danish legend was
believed to be on West Ham's shortlist as they seek a replacement for Alan
Curbishley. Curbishley resigned from his post at Upton Park last week,
citing the club's transfer policy as the reason for his departure. Laudrup
has been out of work since leaving Getafe last May and he has been linked
with a number of top jobs. Laudrup was expected to arrive in England to have
an interview with the Hammers on Monday, but instead he travelled to Russia
for talks with Spartak. Spartak have been searching for a new coach for
since sacking Stanislav Cherchesov in early August and they believe Laudrup
is the ideal replacement. Spartak general manager Valeri Karpin has
confirmed they have agreed an 18-month deal with the 44-year-old. "His
contract term will be one-and-a-half years," Karpin told uefa.com. "We've
chosen this specialist as we think that he is capable of setting out the
team's style and achieving good results."
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Hammers whizkid living the dream - Guardian Series
3:40pm Monday 8th September 2008
WEST HAM starlet Freddie Sears admits he is living in dreamland playing for
the club he has always supported. The Hornchurch-born striker has emerged as
a Hammers favourite after bursting onto the scene in spectacular fashion
with a match-winning debut goal against Blackburn at Upton Park last season.
And so far, it has all been a fantasy ride for the talented teenager. "My
team has always been West Ham. They're my nearest club and I used to go and
watch them every week," Sears said in this month's FourFourTwo magazine.
"Obviously to go on and play for them and score was the stuff of dreams.
Just to play at Upton Park was great, I've been going there for so long.
"The main highlight of my career so far was scoring against Blackburn on my
Premier League debut. When I headed the ball in, it was fantastic. "The
noise in the stadium was unbelievable. I celebrated like a madman, giving
the Hammers sign in my celebration." Yet, despite his notable early success,
the 18-year-old insists he will not be letting the fame get the better of
him. "I'm only 18 and haven't made it yet," he noted. "I've been told not to
get too big for my boots. I'll keep my feet on the ground."
Sears also admits he would love to accomplish the feats of two former Irons
- legend Paolo Di Canio and goalscoring machine Jermain Defoe. Di Canio is
one the greatest players ever to wear the claret and blue shirt and is a
crowd favourite after four impressive seasons spent with the club between
1999 and 2003. Talisman Defoe might not be held in the same high regard at
the Boleyn Ground as Di Canio (after handing in a transfer request just
hours after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League in 2003 and
then moving to bitter London rivals Spurs), but Sears is still hopeful he
can emulate the pair's achievements. "Di Canio was my hero when I was a kid.
He was so exciting to watch and always had the crowd off their seats one way
or another," said Sears. "Defoe is different as he's a player I admire as
our style of play is very similar. I would love to achieve what he has."
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Slaven Bilic rejects West Ham approach - Telegraph
West Ham face a dilemma in their quest to discuss the vacant managerial
position at Upton Park with former defender Slaven Bilic after the Croatia
manager reportedly rejected an offer to replace Alan Curbishley.
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 1:13PM BST 08 Sep 2008
Curbishley resigned last week and West Ham have since structured a four-man
shortlist, with Bilic thought to be the favoured candidate, proposing to
appoint a successor in time for Saturday's Premier League visit to the
Hawthorns where they face newly-promoted West Bromich Albion.
However, according to a report this morning, Bilic has reluctantly ruled
himself out of contention opting to once again reaffirm his commitment to
leading his country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"I'm no going anywhere," he said. "West Ham is my club, I have feelings for
them but I won't go. And I won't go to Newcastle."
"My wish is to stay for another two years here but, if I lose a couple of
games and they say 'off you go' then maybe I will go," he added.
"But my answer is clear. No. I wouldn't go as things stand," he said,
delivering a severe blow to West Ham, who had hoped to speak with Bilic
before Croatia's crucial World Cup qualifier against England on Wednesday.
West Ham's hurried deadline of hiring a new manager by Saturday also put the
Bilic deal in great doubt with the Croatian FA unhappy about discussions
disrupting their preparations for England. Club sources have reportedly
confirmed that the timescale was merely designed to put pressure on the
Croatian to take up the hot seat, however.
Despite Bilic's apparent refusal, West Ham may yet even consider an
unorthodox arrangement which would allow the fiercely patriotic 39-year-old
to continue his role with Croatia, in a part-time capacity, in order to
strike terms.
West Ham, meanwhile, will not interview Danish coach Michael Laudrup as
expected today. Laudrup admits he is keeping his options open after being
linked with Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.
In light of rival interest, it is thought that Laudrup's representatives
informed West Ham officials this morning that the former Getafe coach will
only go through the interview process under the proviso he is instantly
offered the vacancy.
The club did announce that they were 'excited' by the latest developments,
particularly enthused after holding 'positive' talks with Italian
front-runners Roberto Donodoni and Gianfranco Zola over the weekend.
Club director Mike Lee revealed yesterday that both candidates had 'really
shone' during their respective meetings although Lee admitted it would
ultimately be a 'tough decision' on who to appoint.
But it is understood that there are reservations over Zola, despite his
sound interview. The Italy under-21 coach has no club management experience
and as a former player of West Ham's bitter London rivals, Chelsea, Zola's
appointment could potentially cause furore among the supporters.
While Zola is said to be highly regarded by the club's technical director
Gianluca Nani, who is pushing for his exciting compatriot to be awarded the
opportunity, Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and Chief Executive
Officer Scott Duxbury are instead keen to entice Bilic back to east London,
as they want to bring stability to the role.
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Irons look to have missed out on Laudrup - Guardian Series
12:46pm Monday 8th September 2008
WEST HAM are facing a fight to land Michael Laudrup as their new manager.
The Dane is on a four-man shortlist to become the new boss at Upton Park and
is due to be interviewed by the club today. However, the 44-year-old looks
to be on the verge of becoming the new manager at Russian giants Spartak
Moscow. Laudrup was in Moscow at the weekend for talks and Spartak executive
director Valery Karpin is confident of landing his man this week. "The
contract hasn't been signed yet, but I think this will take place on Tuesday
or Wednesday," Karpin told the Sport Den Za Dnyem website. Although moving
to play down the claims, Laudrup dropped a stong hint that he could be on
his way to the Russian outfit. "I cannot say that everything is settled,"
Laudrup told Sport Express. "The final decision I will make in the next few
days. "But the chances are quite high, though I prefer to wait until all
matters are settled. "The first problem is football itself. It is important
to understand what the team have and want. "Secondly, there are some
questions that are important to my family. What will the life be in Russia?
Will it be comfortable for my wife, what school will my daughter attend?
"About Spartak I know that it is the biggest and most popular club in Russia
as Real Madrid or Barcelona in Spain. "I also know that for the last several
years they haven't won as much as their supporters wish. Of course they want
to regain lost positions. "Supporters demand the Spartak play to be
attacking and entertaining and I am used to such an approach and quite
understand them."
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Newcastle hope the Wise factor will prise Zola from West Ham - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:02 PM on 08th September 2008
In-demand Gianfranco Zola has been linked with the vacant Newcastle job,
following two job interviews for the vacant post at fellow Premier League
club West Ham.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley hopes to persuade the Italian Under 21 coach to
venture north to assuage militant Toon fans, who are still frenzied about
the departure of 'Geordie Messiah' Kevin Keegan. Should they snap up
42-year-old Zola - one of the Premier League's finest foreign imports
following a seven-year stint at Chelsea - he will be reunited with former
Blue and close friend Dennis Wise. Now Newcastle's director of football,
Wise has failed in his attempts to lure Tottenham's assistant manager Gus
Poyet - another Stamford Bridge favourite - to St James' Park.
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HAMMERS STILL HOPE FOR BILIC - Sunday Express
Monday September 8,2008
By Matt Law
SLAVEN BILIC is still in the frame to be the new manager of West Ham, even
though he is the only candidate the club have not met. Chief executive Scott
Duxberry interviewed Gianfranco Zola in Rome yesterday, after the Italian
spoke with technical director Gianluca Nani on Saturday. Zola has made a big
impression on West Ham chiefs, who met former Italy manager Roberto Donadoni
last Friday. Michael Laudrup is due to fly into London today for an
interview, but club officials claimed they were not planning to fly to
Zagreb for a face-to-face meeting with Bilic. That means Bilic will be the
only member of the four-man shortlist who will be included in a report
submitted to the board by Nani and Duxberry tonight. Bilic has publicly
stated he has a contract with Croatia until 2010, but has privately made it
clear he would be prepared to speak to West Ham. However, there is a fear a
clause in his contract could prevent him from being able to take over at
Upton Park until January, and the club are not prepared to wait. Croatian
officials, claiming Bilic is only concentrating on preparing his side to
face England in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, will be angry to hear of
discussions between their coach's advisers and West Ham. But it seems he has
been finding time between training sessions and thinking about his line-up
to communicate his interest in returning to the club. Yesterday Bilic was
remaining coy on his future, but insisted his players are not being affected
by all the speculation. He said: "It's not frustrating, it's brilliant to be
linked to some of the clubs in one of the best leagues in the world. "It
proves that me and my assistants and the players are doing something really
well. It can't affect our game or our determination, not only for the game
on Wednesday but for this campaign. I have an open relationship with the
players. We have a laugh about it, they are coming to me and they say, 'We
are going to go with you to England' - so it's nice."
Zola appears to have moved ahead of Donadoni after talking with Duxberry
yesterday. He has promised to bring free-flowing, attacking football back to
Upton Park and does not see his obvious Chelsea links as a problem.
Currently working with Italy's Under-21 team, Zola also has experience of
working with youngsters - something West Ham are keen on. It could be they
try to team him with Chelsea coach Steve Clarke. Once Nani and Duxberry have
tonight submitted their report on the four candidates, the board will
discuss their various merits tomorrow before deciding who to re-interview
with a view to an appointment.
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Disaster for Bilic - CmonYuIrons
8 September 2008 734 views One Comment
Wednesday's match Croatia v England could be a disaster for Slaven Bilic. If
Croatia lose to England, Bilic will be upset but not as upset as the
Croatian FA and that could be good news for West Ham. The Croatian FA are
already unhappy that Bilic will be having talks with Nani and Duxbury
sometime before or after the World Cup qualifier. Why has Bilic agreed to a
meeting? and why have West Ham not given up on Bilic like they have Mancini,
i beleive that Bilic has told his agent he wants the Job but will not say so
publicly before such an important match that could upset his players, It
would be easy for him to say "NO" and "go away" to the West Ham press gang,
but he has not and will be having talks.
If Bilic did leave the Croatian national squad and joined West Ham would he
be a traitor to his country, i dont think so, if he is then does that make
half a million Croatian's in this country traitors too, of course not, like
Bilic they all are after a better success in life, which Croatia did not
offer. It will be a disaster for Bilic to lose to England but hopefully
success for England and West Ham.
This post was submitted by Stu Granger.
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West Ham's director of football Nani looks out for himself as Italian urges
Irons to go for Zola - Daily Mail
By Ivan Speck and Neil Ashton
Last updated at 10:47 AM on 08th September 2008
West Ham's director of football Gianluca Nani has told the Upton Park board
to seriously consider Gianfranco Zola for the vacant position of manager.
Sportsmail beilieves that Nani is pushing his own cause and has encouraged
West Ham chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and chief executive Scott Duxbury
to give up on their pursuit of Croatia manager Slaven Bilic and replace Alan
Curbishley with Chelsea legend Zola. Nani is attempting to protect his own
position at the club by implementing a two-tiered, continental set-up and
fears Bilic will eventually force him out if he returns to Upton Park.
Although sources at the club claimed Zola, who is still hugely popular in
England after his illustrious playing days at Chelsea, has impressed during
lengthy interviews, it was designed to put pressure on Bilic to make a swift
decision on his future. However, Bilic cannot understand why it is vital for
West Ham to make an appointment in time for Saturday's trip to tWest Brom
and is holding firm as he prepares Croatia for England's visit on Wednesday.
Bilic is popular with the club's supporters, while the potential appointment
of Zola - who was such a favourite at the Hammers' fierce rivals Chelsea -
is problematic.
West Ham's board want stability after the final turbulent months of
Curbishley's reign and Gudmundsson fears that Zola, who has not coached a
club side, will take time to adjust to Premier League management. Bilic's
stock soared following the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign - when he not only
predicted England's demise but also orchestrated it with two victories - and
he is confident of beating Fabio Capello's side on Wednesday. Saturday's
strolling 3-0 victory over an unambitious Kazakhstan team was savoured as
the ideal tune -up for England, a fixture that has been on everyone's minds,
if not their lips, for the past week. And you can forget the notion served
up by Croatia's FA that the squad is somehow being destabilised by the
speculation surrounding Bilic and West Ham. From the moment skipper Niko
Kovac stooped to glance a 13th-minute header into the Kazakhstan net, the
Croats oozed confidence and belief. Tottenham's Luka Modric thumped home the
second after the Kazakhs had been undone once more by the swift passand-
move play that will worry Capello, and the third goal 11 minutes from time
from Mladen Petric was equally ominous.
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Hammers Lose Out On Laudrup - The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM face competition to land Michael Laudrup as their new boss. The
Dane is on the Hammers' four-man shortlist for the role and is expected to
hold talks with Upton Park officials today. But he is also wanted by Russian
giants Spartak Moscow, who are confident of landing the ex-Getafe coach.
Spartak executive director Valery Karpin said: "The contract hasn't been
signed yet but I think this will take place on Tuesday or Wednesday."
Despite the claim, Laudrup is keeping his options open. He said: "I cannot
say that everything is settled. "The final decision I will make in the next
few days. "But the chances are quite high though I prefer to wait till all
matters are settled. "The first problem is football itself. It is important
to understand what the team have and want. "Secondly, there are some
questions that are important to my family. What will the life be in Russia?
"Will it be comfortable for my wife, what school will my daughter attend?
"About Spartak I know that it is the biggest and most popular club in Russia
as Real Madrid or Barcelona in Spain. "I also know that for the last several
years they haven't won as much as their supporters wish. "Of course they
want to regain lost positions. "Supporters demand the Spartak play to be
attacking and entertaining and I am used to such an approach and quite
understand them."
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HATCHET MAN: With West Ham lining up their very own Steve McClaren, a right
old East-end Elliot Ness is inevitable - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man Last updated at 11:35 AM on 08th September 2008
West Ham are in danger of appointing their very own version of Steve
McClaren. Perhaps their new manager won't launch his own range of umbrellas
and hilarious Youtube interviews with a ridiculous accent, but Alan
Curbishley's successor is set to be a second choice Steve with no good
reason. The club are pushing very hard to have an appointment made by the
time they play West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and could miss out on Slaven
Bilic as a result. Did they not notice what happened to England when Brian
Barwick made such a dog's dinner of trying to get Luiz Felipe Scolari?
The urgency with which they are pursuing the issue is ridiculous. It makes
sense West Ham don't want to wait until January or create a huge void, but
next weekend's game is not the biggest test they will face or one which will
make or break their season. It is hard not to wonder whether the club's
Italian technical director Gianluca Nani is forcing the timing issue to give
himself a better chance of appointing a mate who will not dilute his power.
The club have been worried from the start that the people they are trusting
to find the new manager were invoking the old pal's act, and with Gianfranco
Zola looking like the second choice maybe they were right to be.
With shared responsibility for coaching Italy's Under 21s as his only
management position, Zola is not only heavily associated with bitter rivals
but inexperienced too.
Oh, and it was only a few months ago he admitted he was not ready for a club
job. Zola said: 'Will I come back to Chelsea? We'll see. I think so. I think
sooner or later I'll have a go. But at the moment it is important to get the
knowledge. Playing football is one thing, but coaching is another.' Mind
you, Croatia coach Bilic is no better with only five games with Hajduk Split
on his club manager's CV.
It looks like the FA shambles all over again and Hatchet Man looks forward
to Zola's first reference to the apples and pears, me old china.
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Ulterior Motives Clear To See.... - Bubbles In The Air
Monday 08 Sep 2008 11:39:47 by Joshua Brain
West Ham released the 2008-09 almanacs a fair while ago now. Besides the
unravelled knot of purse strings that would be kept guard all summer,
September revealed a rather odd job description. 'All candidates applying
for the vacant position must have a very limited experience of being a
manager'. 'A desirable skill is also that you speak Italian'. I wonder why?
Folks, are next 'manager' is all ready here; Gianluca Nani. Nani seems
intent of persuading his colleagues that Zola or Donadoni are the best
candidates. Zola is current coach of the Italian U21 side, and has obvious
links to the West-side of London, but also to Nani through his days at
Cagliari. A much likeable professional, he will presumably kinder a slick
and technical aspect to our game. Circa Euro 2008 when Italy were more
boring than watching paint dry, and old enough to merit an audition for
Dad's Army. So how has Donadoni impressed? He must have given good
lip-service. Perhaps McClaren taught him. Who knows?
The ulterior motives behind Nani's actions are not difficult to see. Hiring
a coach, and I emphasise coach, with little transfer experience would allow
Nani to continue in steering the reigns. Both Zola's and Donadoni's
placement on the shortlist evidence this. The lack of experienced
continental and domestic managers on the shortlist evidences this. Bilic is
on the shortlist because he is the obvious and most sensible appointment,
and would reconcile some of the fans hostility following Curbs' departure.
But Bilic denotes and demands autonomy and authority, which undermines
Nani's position. Laudrup is the outsider, an interesting and promising coach
that should only be ruled out if he reputes the influence of a technical
director, ala Bilic. Over the next week we shall see how much influence
Nani is waving in the boardroom. An appointment of Donadoni or Zola would
only reinforce his own position.
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