BBC.co.uk
Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running to become West Ham's new manager, BBC Sport understands. The former Aston Villa and Celtic boss looked set to replace Avram Grant at Upton Park this week. But BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy said: "The way I read it is that it has all been too hurried for him. "Martin O'Neill has never been the sort of manager to rush into decisions. He's always had a measured attitude towards his next move. He's very rational."
It has also been suggested that the Northern Irishman, 58, was angered by the way in which news of his likely arrival at the club was leaked to the media on Saturday ahead of West Ham's match against Arsenal. Reports stated that the home game against the Gunners would be Grant's last fixture in charge, and he seemed to be saying his goodbyes on the pitch after the 3-0 defeat. The 55-year-old Israeli applauded fans and threw his claret and blue scarf into the crowd before heading down the tunnel. But Murphy said: "Martin O'Neill has always micro managed the various stages of his long managerial career and it seems West Ham's key executives were premature in assuming they had landed him. "O'Neill may be available and very keen to return to management, and as a traditionalist he respects West Ham and their supporters, but any new manager would struggle to revive a West Ham team that has won just four league matches with the January transfer window due to close in just a fortnight. "The West Ham board have appeared too desperate to appoint a marquee name like O'Neill with a decision imminent on whether they can move to the Olympic Stadium. "O'Neill has always concentrated on the football aspects of the club rather than the local politics and he has never been one to be rushed."
West Ham are battling with Tottenham to take over the stadium at Stratford after the 2012 Olympics, with a preferred bidder expected to be named by the Olympic Park Legacy Company by 28 January. The Hammers are bottom of the Premier League, with only four wins from 23 matches so far this season.
Grant, who succeeded Gianfranco Zola in June on a four-year contract, led the Hammers to their worst start in the Premier League, with his side winning two games before the end of November. However, a run of more positive results in recent weeks, including a 2-1 victory against Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final last Tuesday, suggested he might have won a reprieve. O'Neill's reluctance to replace him may yet earn Grant a stay of execution, but other high-profile names have also been linked with the job. Among those available are former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who quit Dutch side Ajax in December, and ex-Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, who was sacked by Blackburn Rovers last month. Stratford-born Chris Hughton is also out of work after he was replaced at Newcastle by former West Ham manager Alan Pardew. O'Neill has been out of work since quitting Villa just before the start of the season after a dispute with owner Randy Lerner about the resources needed to challenge for a Champions League place.
As manager of Leicester City from 1995-2000, he won the League Cup twice. At Celtic, he won the domestic treble in his first season, led them to the 2003 Uefa Cup final and claimed three League titles and three Scottish Cups in total. After a brief period out of the sport to care for his sick wife, he joined Villa in 2006, guiding the Midlands club to sixth in the top flight for three consecutive seasons.
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O'Neill says no to Hammers
Grant set to stay on as boss
By Pete O'Rourke -Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo Last updated: 18th January 2011
SSN
Sky Sports sources Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running to take over at West Ham. Widespread reports over the weekend claimed O'Neill was set to replace Avram Grant at Upton Park this week. However, the former Celtic and Aston Villaboss has rejected the chance to take charge of the Premier League basement boys after mulling over the offer. O'Neill was thought to be unhappy that the news of his possible move to East London was leaked out on prior to West Ham's game against Arsenal. It means Grant now has a stay of execution at West Ham after it was initially suggested he would lose his job whatever the result against Arsenal. However, the likes of Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton and Martin Jol have all been mentioned as possible alternatives to O'Neil should West Ham finally decide to dispense with Grant's services.
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Viola still keen on Behrami
Fiorentina in negotiations to sign West Ham midfielder
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 17th January 2011
SSN
Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino believes Valon Behrami would be a good signing for the club. The versatile West Ham midfielder has been linked with a move to the Italian club since the transfer window opened but a deal has not yet materialised. Corvino is not sure whether Behrami will join the Viola but is full of admiration for the Switzerland international and says his arrival would strengthen the squad. "He's a midfielder who meets the requirements of Fiorentina because he is versatile and can play both inside and on the right," Corvino told reporters. "He would be functional to the tactical ideas of coach (Sinisa) Mihajlovic but it is still too early to say if we are going to take him, it's just one of the negotiations."
Duo to leave
Corvino was speaking at the official unveiling of goalkeeper Neto, who has joined Fiorentina from Atletico Paranaense. He also revealed that while Mario Bolatti and Felipe could leave the club, Mario Alberto Santana and Marco Donadel would probably be offered new contracts. "Players out? Bolatti and Felipe have no place here. Let's see what happens later this month and if we can find a solution that satisfies everyone. "Renewal of contract for Santana and Donadel? I am very fond of them and they are two situations that are in our thoughts. "In the fullness of time we will sit down to discuss and evaluate the situation."
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McCarthy slams Grant scrutiny
Wolves boss calls for clarification on rivals manager's future
By Ben Collins Last updated: 17th January 2011
SSN
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has slammed the treatment of relegation rival Avram Grant at West Ham. Grant's days at Upton Park looked numbered even before Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Arsenal, following which he threw his club scarf into the crowd. Speculation has been rife that Martin O'Neill is being lined up to step into the Hammers' hotseat, with the side having been in the Premier League's bottom three for most of the season. And McCarthy does not believe anyone benefits from such intense scrutiny, admitting his sympathy for his rival boss. "Someone rang me before our game and said 'Avram Grant has gone and Martin O'Neill is going in'," he said. "I thought's 'that's a surprise on a Saturday morning!' "Then Avram is at the game. It looks like he is saying goodbye to everyone when throwing the scarf.
Bizarre situation
"It is just a bizarre situation. It can't be fair on him or the players or anyone else. "It doesn't help you do your job any better, that's for sure, having to come into press conferences, and answer questions on 'are you losing your job?' and 'who is coming in?'" McCarthy called on the Hammers board to clarify Grant's position in a bid to put an end to the speculation. And Sky Sports Newsreported on Sunday that Grant's future will be decided this week. "You try to focus on the job in hand but people chipping away at it makes it hard," added McCarthy. "It is not a position I would like to have. If they don't want you, and they want you to go, then fine, do it. "I wouldn't want to be answering questions about my future every single time. Someone should be able to stop that. Be straight with people, that's all I ask.
Great club
"West Ham is a great club, with great supporters, they make a real racket. There will be a queue from here to Aberdeen for the job. "Don't think people won't want it because it seems something is not right with it at the minute. "We've all got to have that ego and arrogance that we can make things better at a club and turn it around. "Avram thinks that at West Ham and it is making his job that much harder with all the speculation surrounding it. That is not fair on him."
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Av can still be the man for West Ham
The Sun
IAN WRIGHT - Columnist
Published: Today
SUPPORTING West Ham right now must be a nightmare. A really depressing experience for the Hammers fans. They are one of my old sides and I've always admired the club and their brilliant fans, who are among the most loyal in this country. And I actually think some of the players currently in their first team need reminding of this fact. Yet like all of us, the Upton Park regulars must be wondering who on earth will be in charge for Saturday's game at Everton as Avram Grant appears to be a dead man walking. We now know one man who will not be taking the reins is Martin O'Neill, who has turned the job down. I think that is probably the best for both parties as O'Neill managing West Ham somehow just did not sound right to me. The move would not have been right for either party. I wondered whether O'Neill would want to have risked having relegation with West Ham on his CV. Some people would argue that Aston Villa are a bigger club than West Ham. And you would certainly have to question the wisdom of leaving the Birmingham outfit at the start of the season and ending up in east London in January. He is a good manager, gets respect from his players and I am sure there is the right job out there for him - although it is not in east London. So West Ham must plot their next move at once. Sam Allardyce is now a man very much in the frame. Yet here, West Ham fans find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. Big Sam will get you some results so I still think he has something to offer the game and his record - particularly at Bolton and Blackburn - proves exactly that. He gets some wins. But the downside - for some people - is the style of play that will be used to get those wins.
West Ham fans have always been proud about their footballing heritage and their reputation as 'the Academy'. A club that nurtures and encourages its youngsters to play a certain way. For some, seeing Allardyce standing in the dugout could be too painful. I've got quite a few mates who support West Ham and out of about 10, at least half of them would rather see the team go down than have Big Sam as boss. So, West Ham would have to look at other options and there is certainly some talent in the Championship. Norwich's Paul Lambert and Dave Jones of Cardiff are two other names who have been mentioned.
However, I'm not sure either would want to take on the West Ham job given the club's current position. Paul is a good mate of mine as we used to share a car on the way to Celtic training. You will not meet a nicer man in the world and he is doing well at Norwich. I am not sure he would need all the stick he would get by walking into the job at West Ham. So I'd be worried if he took the position if it was offered. I'd rather see him get Norwich in the Prem or wait for another job. Equally, Jones has done well at Cardiff in a difficult situation but I think he would rather see the job out in south Wales.
So, after O'Neill, Allardyce, Lambert and Jones - the other option is, of course keeping Avram. I can't see at this time what else they can do. He's put on a brave face in an incredibly tough situation. Back in the summer, it was not an appointment that got me excited, I must admit. Yet even though I've said that, I don't think he'll be able to keep them up. But because of the alternatives, I would stick with Avram and maybe give him some more money to help bring in a few key players. At the moment, I am not sure how much cash has been made available. Also, some of the players need to be told a few home truths. But I think the content of the team with an addition or two would have enough quality - just - to get out of trouble. They are lucky to have a player like Scott Parker, who continues to perform. I think it's a scandal he has not been a regular part of the England squad and, over the next few months, he could make a vital difference. The most important thing at West Ham, though, is that everyone begins pulling in the right direction. If they don't, where West Ham will find themselves next season is blindingly obvious.
Courtesy SEM Group
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It's Martin No Neill
The Sun
By SHAUN CUSTIS
Published: Today
MARTIN O'NEILL last night KO'd West Ham's bid to make him their new manager. The ex-Aston Villa boss made it clear he was unwilling to knife current chief Avram Grant while he remains in the job. And Grant showed he has no intention of quitting by preparing an audacious loan swoop for Liverpool's Hammers old boy Joe Cole. The pair are close after Grant spent a year in charge of Cole at Chelsea. Troubled Grant believes Cole does not fit into new Kop boss Kenny Dalglish's plans. An Upton Park insider said: "It's a long shot but Avram is determined to continue working normally. "Joe did not play for Liverpool against Everton on Sunday. "When Avram was sacked by Chelsea, Joe left him a very touching message about how much he had enjoyed working for him."
O'Neill's decision has thrown the club's board into turmoil. The Hammers were poised to sack Grant in the wake of the 3-0 humbling by Arsenal at the weekend, believing the Ulsterman would willingly step in to take command. But O'Neill yesterday told the Premier League's basement club he could not be seen to be kicking another manager out of a job. O'Neill has been appalled at the treatment of the Israeli, who has regularly had to deal with questions about his future. West Ham have also been linked with axed Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce. But managers may now be reluctant to tread where O'Neill would not, knowing how bad it would make them look. A source close to O'Neill told SunSport: "Martin couldn't take over in such circumstances. "He has a lot of affection for West Ham and wanted the job but not like this."
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has condemned the way West Ham have treated Grant. He said: "It can't be fair on him, the players or anyone else. "It doesn't help you do your job any better, that's for sure, having to answer questions on whether you're losing your job. "It is not a position I would like to have. If they don't want you, and they want you to go, then fine, do it. Be straight with people, that's all I ask." Grant knows from bitter experience that any departure from West Ham will not be straightforward. It took him almost two years of haggling to come to a financial agreement with Chelsea after he was sacked by Roman Abramovich in 2008. Yet McCarthy is convinced that however distasteful the Hammers situation gets, in the end someone will be prepared to fill the breach if Grant goes. He added: "When any job comes up, there will be a queue from here to Aberdeen to get it. "Don't think people won't want it because it seems something is not right with it at the minute."
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Hammers hit by O'Neill snub
Published 23:00 17/01/11 By Martin Lipton
The Mirror
Martin O'Neill last night turned down West Ham – which could mean Avram Grant staying on as manager until the end of the season. O'Neill was angered by leaks over the weekend that he had agreed to take over at Upton Park while Grant was still in charge. Suggestions a decision had been taken to sack the Israeli whatever the result against Arsenal on Saturday were off the mark as it appeared O'Neill got cold feet. And after mulling over his options, the former Aston Villa, Celtic and Leicester boss told David Sullivan and David Gold he was not interested, leaving West Ham hugely embarrassed and in a complete mess. And with Sam Allardyce also not wanting to risk his reputation on a five-month survival fight, the Hammers' joint owners had to go cap in hand to Grant to ask him to stay – despite his relationship with managing director Karren Brady being strained to breaking point. Grant has struggled to contain his fury over Brady's meddling in team and transfer affairs and it is claimed some senior players were asked by the Hammers' vice-chairman if they wanted to demand the manager's head. The squad's loyalty to Grant muddied the waters and, after giving his players 48 hours off to see how things developed, he is due back at the club's Chadwell Heath complex to take training today. Grant believes that, with the bottom of the Premier League so tight, he can still pull off a rescue act and is committed to proving his worth as a manager despite the way he has been treated. The rock-bottom Hammers are only six points behind Everton, who lie 12th in the table and who play host to the east Londoners on Saturday.
Grant has still been weighing up transfer options amid the chaos and one possible target came back onto the radar last night when Birmingham pulled out of a move for Spurs striker Robbie Keane. The clubs agreed a deal worth up to £12million, but the Republic of Ireland forward is understood to want to stay in London.
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Brady's text shame adds more mayhem to Hammers madness
Published 23:00 17/01/11 By Martin Lipton
The Mirror
Deceit, back-stabbing, chaos and attempted insurrection. Forget EastEnders, you could not devise a more crazy soap opera than the one Avram Grant has endured for the past few months. With Grant left dangling, seemingly hanging on only because the West Ham board cannot find his replacement to let them cut him loose, any claims about the moral authority of the Upton Park owners have disappeared. The events of the past few days have served to crystallise the feeling West Ham is a club riven by internal feuds and not fit for purpose. Dressing-room sources cannot hide their disbelief at what the players, staff and of course their manager have been put through, at a time when the club publicly talks about pulling together to escape the relegation zone.
But with Martin O'Neill turning down the chance to inherit what increasingly resembles a madhouse, and Grant looking likely to stay in charge for the foreseeable future, the scale of the underhand dealing that has turned the Hammers into what former local hero Julian Dicks called a "laughing stock" can be revealed. The worst and most extraordinary act of all saw Karren Brady texting a number of internationals in Grant's squad to effectively ask them to rise up against the Israeli. One dressing-room source revealed: "When the texts came in, asking some of us what we thought of Avram and whether we felt he should go, none of us could believe what was happening. "As far as I know, no one replied to the texts, which seemed to be asking us to go to the owners and ask for a change of manager. "But the players who received them showed the texts to the coaching staff and pretty soon everybody knew what had gone on. It simply wasn't right."
That attempt to undermine Grant, at a point when his fortunes were at their lowest ebb, was just the beginning of what resembled a destabilisation campaign. Yet the problems were running even deeper, as cost-cutting measures began to eat away at morale at the club. One well-liked member of staff at the Chadwell Heath training ground, paid just £200 a week as a general helper, was told he would be fired because his wages could no longer be afforded. It was only after the board were told the players were furious at such callous treatment was the decision overturned. Secretarial staff have had hours cut to save money. In one case that saved £300 a month at a club which has an annual wage bill of tens of millions of pounds.
It is understood joint owners David Sullivan and David Gold and the board were shaken when all their preferred candidates – among them Sam Allardyce and Martin Jol – warned that up to six signings before the end of January would be the minimum requirement to keep the club in the Premier League. That would need money that is not there. Grant – whose record of four wins and one defeat in the seven games before the home match with Arsenal on Saturday was better than 17 of the other top-flight bosses and beaten only by Sir Alex Ferguson – was still trying to line up transfers despite Brady pulling the plug on a deal for Steve Sidwell.
Ten days ago, Wayne Bridge was told West Ham could not afford to pay even £60,000 of his £90,000-a-week salary. Remarkably, after Tottenham's ramped-up efforts to land the Olympic Stadium sparked claims the Hammers were unable to come up with the cash needed to make the project viable, Bridge was signed until the end of the season – on £90,000 a week. As speculation over Grant's future grew last week, as "crisis" board meetings came and went and whispers emanated from within that he was to be sacked and replaced by O'Neill irrespective of the result against Arsenal, the players' anger boiled over. They awoke to the "news" of Grant's imminent departure and spent much of the day brooding about what was happening. Messages were left on the answer-phones of Brady, Sullivan and Gold without reply, while the players rang each other for information. "Nobody had a clue what was going on and the fact we were all left out of the loop made it worse," said another dressing-room insider. "It was still going on when we were arriving before the game and it was no way for any of us to prepare for playing Arsenal. "After the game a few of us told Avram he shouldn't go and face the press and that he should let the board take the flak but he said it was his job and went and spoke."
No wonder former Hammers left-back Dicks claimed: "We're becoming a laughing stock. They need to come out and end all this speculation and say, 'We support you' or they should sack Grant. "They must get this sorted out so everyone can start concentrating on football again. They need to bring in four players quickly, a central midfielder to play alongside Scott Parker, a striker who is going to score goals, a right-back and a centre-half too. "It would be financially catastrophic if West Ham were relegated."
A catastrophe that Grant, despite everything, is left to try to avert. A West Ham spokesman declined to comment on the record although the club insisted no such texts were sent from board members to players, that the number of analysts and coaching staff at Chadwell Heath had increased and that the training-ground worker was due to retire on age grounds, but a "compromise" was reached which enabled him to stay on.
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West Ham are a laughing stock! Grant must be backed or sacked by owners, demands angry club legend Dicks
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 3:40 PM on 17th January 2011
Daily Mail
Former West Ham captain Julian Dicks has accused David Gold and David Sullivan of turning the club into a 'laughing stock' over their failure to end the growing speculation over Avram Grant's future. Grant's position looked increasingly precarious after Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal was preceded by intense speculation that Martin O'Neill had been sounded out about the possibility of replacing the Israeli. Grant insisted that he was still in charge following the loss, which kept West Ham rooted to the foot of the league, but fans groups have strongly condemned the owners for their failure to either back or sack the former Chelsea boss. The club have been silent on rumours that Grant was being lined up for the sack.
Now Dicks, who became a West Ham legend after playing over 250 times in his 10 years at the club, has called on the pair to end the rumours about Grant's future. He said: 'All I know is what I have seen in the newspapers and on the television - I heard one minute that Avram was leaving, then the next I hear it's Martin O'Neill who's coming in, and then he isn't. We're becoming a laughing stock really. 'They (Gold and Sullivan) have the best interests of the club and the supporters at heart, I'm sure, but they need to come out and end all this speculation and say "we support you" or they should sack him. 'They need to get this sorted out so everyone can start concentrating on the football again.' Despite leading the Hammers to the Carling Cup semi-final, Grant has so far only been able to register four league wins and his team are two points adrift of safety having played at least one more game than their relegation rivals. Should the Londoners replace Grant with O'Neill, Dicks thinks the former Leicester boss would be a good appointment. 'I would like to think Martin O'Neill would do a good job for the club,' said Dicks, who now manages non-league Grays Athletic. 'He is an experienced and very passionate manager and has had a lot of success at all the clubs he has been at. 'There are a lot of managers out there that are out of work and apart from Roy Hodgson maybe, he is the highest-profile one of the lot.'
With West Ham around £90million in debt, Dicks knows that money is tight at the club but insists that any new manager must be given transfer funds to improve the current squad. 'They need to bring in four players quickly,' said the 42-year-old. 'They need a central midfielder to play alongside Scott Parker and they need a striker that is going to score goals and work hard for the team. 'They could do with a right-back and a centre-half too.' Gold and Sullivan admitted that the club would face 'Armageddon' if they were relegated when they took over last January. The former Birmingham owners have cut the West Ham's debt and reduced costs but Dicks admits being relegated could have a devastating effect on the club. 'Nobody wants to get relegated from any division, let alone the Premier League. It would be unthinkable if West Ham got relegated,' Dicks added. 'It would be financially catastrophic for the club if they went down. There are debts at the club and the players' wages are huge.'
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Behrami set to seal £4.5m move to Fiorentina
By talkSPORT
Monday, January 17
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami is expected to complete a £4.5m move to Fiorentina in the next 24 hours. Behrami has suffered a nightmare spell at Upton Park this season and has failed to command a regular first-team place. The Swiss international is keen to get his career back on track and would relish a move back to Italy. Behrami joined West Ham from Lazio back in July 2008, but his family have failed to settle in London and he has fallen out of favour with Avram Grant. West Ham are hoping to use the funds to strengthen their squad in other areas during the January transfer window.
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Avram Grant set to stay at West Ham after Martin O'Neill 'pulls out of becoming struggling club's new manager'
Telegraph.co.uk
different replacement Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Jason Burt 9:12PM GMT 17 Jan 2011
Sources close to O'Neill have informed the Premier League's bottom club that, after lengthy deliberations, he has ruled himself out of the running to replace Avram Grant. Astonishingly, it raises the prospect that Grant may even remain at Upton Park for the rest of the season despite all indications that he would be sacked this week. That scenario would appear almost unbelievable given how seriously West Ham have discussed replacing the manager and the tensions that exist between him and the club's vice-chairman, Karren Brady. It remains to be seen whether their relationship can be repaired and whether Grant can salvage his own beleaguered reputation. O'Neill is believed to have been angered by the way in which his possible move to Upton Park leaked out and, in particular, the reports on Saturday that he was definitely replacing Grant after the match against Arsenal.
It is understood that West Ham believed they had an agreement with O'Neill at the end of last week but that he has now changed his mind. That agreement even, it is believed, went as far as detailing the make-up of his backroom staff, salaries and transfer targets such as Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane. Whether O'Neill can be persuaded to change his mind again remains to be seen but hopes have dwindled dramatically at the club in the past 24 hours. O'Neill has been highly sensitive to the way his potential appointment would be announced and the timing of it and how much time he would have to bed himself in. It is also believed that he harboured serious reservations as to whether he could save West Ham from relegation. The former Aston Villa manager was always West Ham's first choice to replace Grant but the club will now discuss other candidates and give serious consideration as to whether they should stick with the Israeli, who had appeared resigned to the fact that he was leaving ahead of Saturday's match at Everton. A decision on the manager's future — in the form of a club announcement — needs to be made this week to end the damaging uncertainty at the club. The apparent failure to lure O'Neill will shock West Ham supporters, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the delay in making a decision over Grant, who appeared certain to go after the 5-0 defeat to Newcastle United two weeks ago. That triggered representatives to make contact with O'Neill and a second-choice candidate, thought to be Sam Allardyce, although he has publicly stated he has not been in discussions. West Ham are also thought to have considered making a move for former Spurs manager Martin Jol although sources in Holland indicated on Monday that he may already have a job lined up for the summer after leaving Ajax earlier this season.
Other possible candidates have included Cardiff City's Dave Jones and Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish, who has been under growing pressure at St Andrew's and who was hired by the West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold when they were in charge of the Midlands club.
It may well be that the club now keep Grant — who they have always been reluctant to sack – and concentrate on trying to improve the squad in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Three in the frame
Martin Jol
Linked to a variety of Premier League jobs this season, including Fulham and Newcastle. Favours the kind of attacking play enjoyed by West Ham fans but his Tottenham past might count against him.
Alex McLeish
The Scot's record of succeeding on limited funds might make him an appealing option to West Ham's board, who know him well from their time at Birmingham. The fans may not be so enthused.
Dave Jones
Well respected throughout football and would surely jump at the chance for another shot at the top flight. His lack of success in Premier League relegation fights could be a cause for concern, however.
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London 2012 Olympics: Crystal Palace open another front in Tottenham's stadium battle
By Paul Kelso 9:43PM GMT 17 Jan 2011
Paul's Twitter
Crystal Palace will this week announce their intention to move from Selhurst Park to a ground on the site of the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace Park, a plan that could significantly complicate the future of the Olympic Stadium. Tottenham have promised to redevelop the dilapidated athletics facility at Crystal Palace as part of their bid to take on the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, which they intend to demolish and rebuild without a track. With West Ham committed to retaining the track within the Stratford site, the Crystal Palace development is fundamental to Spurs' argument that they can provide a meaningful athletics legacy. Crystal Palace FC have long coveted the NSC site however, and will move to make their counter-offer clear at a press briefing on Thursday. The club's chances of building a new stadium have been hampered in the past by the fact that they did not own Selhurst Park, but following this summer's takeover by Steve Parish they are in full control of the ground. With Tottenham eyeing the NSC site and already having opened discussions with Bromley Council over planning issues, Palace want to establish their credentials this week.
Any plans for a football ground in the park will face planning complications. Three London boroughs converge on the site and there is well-organised opposition among local residents. The timing has the potential to affect the Olympic Stadium process as final bids from Spurs and West Ham are due to be delivered to the Olympic Park Leg acy Company on Friday. A further complication is the fact that the NSC site is owned by the London Development Agency, which will effectively also have control of the Olympic Park after 2012. Running the facility costs £1 million a year and the LDA has spent more than £15 million on removing asbestos from the swimming pool area, and its priority is to dispose of the site. The development means Spurs could be involved in two disputes with rival London football clubs simultaneously. West Ham are opposed to them coming to Newham, and now Crystal Palace are battling their attempt to leverage influence in Bromley. Haringey Council is also keen for the club to stay in Tottenham. Council leader Claire Kober last night warned that if Spurs move they will "effectively hand north London to Arsenal, destroying decades of history and leaving tens of thousands of fans with no local team".
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West Bromwich move for West Ham target Peguy Luyindula
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 7:50 AM on 18th January 2011
Daily MAil
West Bromwich are rivalling West Ham for Paris St Germain striker Peguy Luyindula. Luyindula, 31, is on a list of possible targets for West Ham but they may need to move swiftly following Roberto di Matteo's interest. The France international is on around £45,000 per week which would hinder Albion but they are exploring ways of a loan deal with view to a permanent in the summer. West Ham manager Avram Grant, who expects midfielder Valon Behrami to complete a £4m move to Fiorentina in the next 24 hours, wants a striker and a box to box midfielder.
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So Avram Grant stays at West Ham...but can the wounds be healed and peace be made with Karren Brady?
By MATT LAWTON
Last updated at 7:51 AM on 18th January 2011
Daily Mail
Once Martin O'Neill rejected the chance to become West Ham's new manager, the Upton Park hierarchy were left with no option but to make their peace with Avram Grant. The Israeli now looks likely to remain in charge for the rest of the season, having agreed to continue working with his players in the knowledge that his employers have been trying to recruit a replacement behind his back. It leaves the club currently sitting at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League - and yet 90 minutes away from their first Wembley final in 30 years - in an extraordinary position. The relationship between Grant and Karren Brady, the vice-chairman who has been making the approaches to O'Neill and other managers on behalf of owners David Sullivan and David Gold, is particularly strained.
On Monday, Sportsmail understands, it was Brady's intention to try to rebuild bridges with Grant and discuss the way forward, both in terms of their working relationship and the recruitment of players during what remains of the January transfer window. But given the simmering resentment that has built up over the last few weeks, Brady will have to be at her diplomatic best if she is going to heal this particular rift. The pursuit of O'Neill has turned into a massive PR own goal for Brady and the club's owners, not least because of the shabby treatment Grant has received in the process. He has gained the sympathy and support of players, peers and from within the wider football community.
Last night West Ham legend Julian Dicks accused Gold and Sullivan of turning the club into a 'laughing stock' over their failure to end the growing speculation over Grant's future. Persuading O'Neill to come to Upton Park was always going to be difficult, especially when the Irishman responds to all such approaches with extreme caution. But O'Neill was no different to other managers who were sounded out by West Ham, with Sam Allardyce and Martin Jol believed to be among them. They were consistent in telling the Upton Park hierarchy that they would need at least six new players to add some much-needed quality to the squad and so give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation. When those assurances could not be given the club was suddenly met with a distinct lack of interest in succeeding Grant. Clearly, O'Neill and Co do not believe Grant's squad is strong enough to survive. O'Neill, it is thought, mentioned Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner as well as three other players who would have been beyond West Ham's budget.
For Grant, however, there will be other issues. It is understood text messages were sent to certain members of the playing staff asking for a personal assessment of the under-pressure Israeli. Far from providing it, they showed the text messages to members of the coaching staff. Then there were the emails Grant is understood to have received from Brady. Emails that were said to have questioned his methods of management. Understandably, they were not well received.Brady, hired by her former Birmingham City employers to spend two days a week working as the club's vice-chairman, would no doubt complain that she was merely the messenger acting on behalf of Sullivan and Gold. But Brady has isolated others inside the club with some of her cost-cutting measures. It is understood that a club secretary who served Grant had her hours cut by two hours a day to save the club £300 a month, while a long-serving member of the training-ground staff - believed to earn around £200 a week - was fired before staff fought for him to be reinstated. When reports that Grant was about to be sacked surfaced just hours before Saturday's Premier League defeat by Arsenal, angry players tried to contact Sullivan, Gold and Brady to establish what was happening, even as they sat in the dressing room less than an hour before kick-off. When there was no response, the players became more disillusioned.
Gianfranco Zola encountered similar problems, and such methods ended up costing the club dear. Only because of the way he was treated at the end did Zola push for the additional £1.2million pay-off he eventually received. Grant has also had to contend with the club's failure to sign players. He thought he had secured Steve Sidwell on loan from Aston Villa - the player he had worked with at Chelsea had agreed personal terms and passed a medical - only for it suddenly to be blocked by Brady. Mark Noble's return to fitness was given as the reason. Brady will no doubt try to tackle all these issues with Grant, but it seems unlikely they will be able to work together in the long term. If the manager is safe for now, Brady might yet have to consider her future. A highly rated executive whose profile has risen with her role as adviser to Sir Alan Sugar on the BBC's The Apprentice, she is already believed to have other offers on the table.
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Joe Cole linked as West Ham prepare to stick with Grant
ESPN staff
January 18, 2011
ESPN
Martin O'Neill has performed a U-turn and rejected overtures from West Ham United to become their new manager - leaving Avram Grant to continue his job, possibly all the way until the end of the season. West Ham are reaching the point of deciding whether to back or sack Grant - and it will now come as one of the biggest shocks of the season if the Hammers board actually stand by their man. However, ESPN reported on Monday that the Upton Park chiefs were set to stick with Grant, after the club's trusted aide Barry Silkman predicted the Israeli would remain at the helm "for a long time".
Speculation is mounting that O'Neill has had a change of heart and is no longer as strong in his conviction that he will take the West Ham job, even if the club sacked Grant. In fact, O'Neill has now indicated that he is no longer interested, and there have been frantic talks to get him back on track.
Feelings within the West Ham board room are mixed about axing Grant, and it is felt that it might make more sense to spend the compensation it would take to pay off Grant to put toward purchasing players to shore up one of the weakest squads in the Premier League.
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan built their reputation at Birmingham by sticking by their managers and would like to repeat that feat at Upton Park.
Meanwhile, West Ham have been linked with a move for Liverpool's Joe Cole, who enjoyed his spell under Grant whilst at Chelsea. The Hammers have also been chasing Hoffenheim goalscorer Demba Ba, as well as Tottenham's Robbie Keane and Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.
Bothroyd looks destined for Newcastle, but a proposed £4 million move by Birmingham for Keane has collapsed, and the Hammers have the chance to revive their offer of a £1 million loan fee to Spurs for the striker as well as taking up his £65,000-a-week wages.
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