From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I would like to start by wishing Teddy Sheringham all the very best of luck
in his new role as manager of Stevenage, which he will take up later this
summer. We appointed Teddy as our new attacking coach last summer with a
view to improving our forward play, and I must say he took to the part-time
role with real enthusiasm and commitment. With the likes of Diafra Sakho and
Enner Valencia joining us and working regularly with a man of Teddy's
calibre, we know he will have helped improve their game. While we are
disappointed to be losing Teddy's services, we are happy to have played a
part in developing his coaching skills and will be watching closely as he
embarks on his managerial career at Stevenage.
As I wrote jointly with David Gold in our programme column for the
disappointing defeat by Everton at the weekend, we have not hit the heights
we managed over the first half of the campaign since Christmas, but we have
one final opportunity to impress when we got to Newcastle United this
weekend. Our opponents are in a difficult position and will undoubtedly be
doing everything they can to get themselves out of danger, but we have to
seize on any weaknesses or nervousness in their play and finish the season
on a winning note.
Yet again, we will be followed by more than 3,000 fans and, on behalf of the
Board, I would like to take one last opportunity to thank you for your
loyal, passionate and unwavering support throughout the 2014/15 campaign. We
have had some tough times since Christmas but, for every home match and
wherever we have travelled, you have been there in your thousands, cheering
the team on.
This week, the first of our valued Season Ticket Holders have begun
attending appointments at our fabulous Reservation Centre in Stratford,
picking their seats at the new Stadium. The feedback we have received from
those who have already chosen their seats has been overwhelmingly positive.
The staff at the Reservation Centre are knowledgeable and professional,
while the graphics and videos available to help fans make their minds up are
truly special. We are looking forward to meeting as many of our Season
Ticket Holders as possible, alongside the two additional friends and family
members each of you can bring along to your appointment, and encourage you
to group together to make the most of your matchday experience at our
exceptional new home. Before we move to the new Stadium, we first have our
Final Season at the Boleyn Ground to enjoy, including what we hope will be
an exciting European campaign.
We go to St James' Park knowing we are in with a good chance of finishing
top of the Premier League Fair Play League. If we things go our way, we
could well have UEFA Europa League football to look forward to. European
football will mean an early start to the new season, but we will be prepared
and what better way to say goodbye to our historic home?
All that remains for me to say is to wish all those travelling to Newcastle
this weekend a safe and enjoyable trip.
Let's finish the season with a win.
Come on you Irons!
David Sullivan
Joint-Chairman
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Sheringham to become Stevenage boss
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Teddy Sheringham will become manager of
League Two club Stevenage this summer. Sheringham has spent the 2014/15
season as the Hammers' part-time attacking coach, working with first team
and Development Squad players on their forward play.
The former West Ham and England striker, who also scored 30 goals in 87
games for the Club at the tail-end of a glittering playing career, will move
to the Lamex Stadium when his contract with the Hammers expires at the end
of the current campaign. West Ham United would like to thank Teddy for his
hard work and commitment over the previous nine months and wish him every
success in his future managerial career.
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Former Player Blog - Tony Cottee
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I want to start by talking about young defender Reece Burke, who has
recently made his Premier League debut for West Ham United. I am absolutely
thrilled for any kid who comes through the Academy, I really am, because
being an Academy graduate myself I think we are long overdue. I remember
Mark Noble, James Tomkins and Jack Collison all coming through at about the
same time, but believe it or not that was nine or ten years ago. Although
couple of lads have sampled the first team in recent years, we haven't
really had anyone who has come through and become a regular off the back of
it. Reece has got a long way to go, but he has made a great start to his
career with a couple of clean sheets. I know we had a setback against
Everton, but I think he has done really well and I hope he stays in the team
because it's good for everyone. The Club has always prided itself on the
Academy and saying how good it is, but there is no good saying how good it
is if players aren't coming through. We need to compete and get those
players coming through.
It's good for the team and the squad as well, to get local lads in there.
Mark Noble is a great example because you can say to a teenager that they
could go through the system and become the next Mark Noble. I think that's
great, so I wish Reece all the best and my message to him is 'Keep up the
good work'. I must admit I am a little bit worried about the game on Sunday
because Newcastle are fighting for their lives. It's either Newcastle or
Hull who will go down, but Newcastle know that if they win they will
definitely stay up. It's important to finish the season with a good result
and I think a draw is a good result. It's always a tough place to go to
anyway, Newcastle, and it's important that we go there with the right
attitude. There will be 50,000 screaming Geordies going hell for leather to
stay in the Premier League, but our away support has always been fantastic
and they are the real fans, who travel week-in and week-out. We haven't won
away in the league this year, so it would be nice to give something back.
We can't worry about Newcastle. That's their fault for being so poor in the
last part of the season and if they get relegated, that's not down to us. We
need to give 100 per cent effort and reward the fans, go and applaud them at
the end of the game and thank them for their wonderful support, as always.
Safe trip to everyone traveling to St James' Park, and to all of you, enjoy
the summer!
Come on you Irons!
TC
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Burke's ready for another test
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke is unfazed by the prospect of playing in front of 50,000 fans at
Newcastle United this weekend in what is a crucial game for the Geordies.
The 18-year-old defender has tackled everything that has been thrown at him
with aplomb since being thrust into the first team picture over the last
month and wants to help West Ham United end the season on a high. He is
likely to start a Barclays Premier League game for the fourth time after
James Collins suffered a leg injury last week and says he is ready. "I'm
pretty excited at the prospect of playing there," he explained. "Ginge came
off at the weekend, so it could be my chance again but I'll find out in the
next few days. "I want to prepare well and finish off with a win in the last
game of the season. "It's been great to play at a few of these grounds. I'm
really excited by Saturday's game. It's a big one for them and obviously we
want to win as well, because we've got goals and targets to achieve. "We
want to get to the 50 point mark. We're looking for a win, and so are they,
so the contest is going to be good. "We'll approach the game the same way we
always do [whatever position they're in]. Playing against Benteke and Lukaku
in the last couple of weeks has been a great experience. "I've been watching
the games back and there are a few things I need to work on, looking at it,
but it's all about experience for me as a young lad coming through.
Hopefully it'll make me better."
Coming off the bench against Everton last Saturday added to his experience
as he had to get up to the speed of the contest straight away.
He added: "Before the game I was told by a few of the physios to be ready,
then early on in the game Ginge was struggling. Coming on is different to
starting a game - it's harder to come on to the pitch and match the tempo
straight away. "As the game goes on, there's more tempo than sitting on the
bench. There's a lot going on, so going from the watching the game mindset
to being ready is key otherwise you will go onto the pitch sloppy."
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Teddy Sheringham: Stevenage name ex-England striker as boss
BBC.co.uk
Stevenage have appointed former England striker Teddy Sheringham as manager
to replace the outgoing Graham Westley. Westley's final game in charge was
Boro's League Two play-off semi-final defeat by Southend and his contact at
Broadhall Way ends on 31 May. It is 49-year-old Sheringham's first
managerial job, having been West Ham attacking coach under manager Sam
Allardyce for the last 12 months. The ex-Tottenham and Manchester United
forward will take over "in the summer". Sheringham - the oldest goalscorer
and outfield player in Premier League history - had a 25-year playing
career, which began at Millwall before spells at Nottingham Forest and
Spurs.
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Stevenage appoint West Ham's Sheringham as manager
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st May 2015
By: Staff Writer
Stevenage FC have confirmed that West Ham United's attacking coach Teddy
Sheringham is their new manager. The 49-year-old officially joins The Boro
this summer, although he was unveiled as their new man at a press conference
this lunchtime [Thursday]. "To say I am excited is an understatement," he
said. "I am really looking forward to next season."
Sheringham spent a year at West Ham in a part-time coaching role, but was
always a popular figure with the supporters on match day at the Boleyn
Ground. He had previously spent three seasons as a player with the Hammers,
between 2004-07. The former striker had also been linked with the Portsmouth
job prior to accepting the Stevenage role.
He is likely to be followed out of West Ham by Sam Allardyce's assistant
manager Neil McDonald and first team coach Neil Hendon, who have been linked
with the vacant managerial posts at Blackpool and Orient respectively.
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Neil McDonald set for Blackpool talks
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st May 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United assistant manager Neil McDonald is set for talks with League
One side Blackpool, with view to their vacant managerial post. The
49-year-old, who was appointed as Sam Allardyce's assistant in June 2011 has
been searching for a managerial position since last summer. Although he
rejected the opportunity to join League Two side Carlisle back in January in
order to continue his partnership with Allardyce, KUMB understands that
Wallsend-born McDonald has already held preliminary discussions with
Blackpool. The Tangerines have been managerless since Lee Clark resigned
following their relegation from the Championship earlier this month, with a
record low tally of 26 points from 46 games. McDonald's potential departure
means that all of Allardyce's top-ranking coaches are now lined up for
positions elsewhere next season. With attacking coach Teddy Sheringham
confirmed as the new manager of Stevenage, first team coach Ian Hendon is
also understood to be close to securing the vacant managerial position at
Leyton Orient. The Os sacked Italian boss Fabio Liverani last week following
their relegation from League One and 43-year-old Hendon is perceived as an
ideal candidate, as he spent part of his playing career at Brisbane Road in
the 1990s.
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Slaven Bilic sacked by Besiktas
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st May 2015
By: Staff Writer
It has been confirmed that Slaven Bilic has now been fired by current club
Besiktas. We revealed earlier how Bilic was on the verge of the sack having
failed to make a serious challenge for the Super Lig title. And shortly
after midday [Thursday], it was confirmed by Hurriyet Daily News that the
46-year-old has indeed been told he can leave at the end of the current
campaign. Bilic is understood to have been fired following a four-hour Board
meeting, during which it was decided that he should remain in charge for
Besiktas' remaining two games this season before leaving. Beşiktaş chairman
Fikret Orman told Hürriyet: "We will part on good terms. The new manager
will be a name nobody can dispute. He will be the architect of our future
success to take us to the next level in our new stadium." Bilic, speaking
after last weekend's surprise defeat at home to Torku Konyaspor admitted
that he was surprised at the club's position with view to his future.
"My intention was to stay here," he said. "Now I don't know if this is
possible. I don't see myself being given a chance to manage Beşiktaş next
season."
* Bilic is already the new favourite with the bookies to replace Sam
Allardyce.
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SAM. METAPHORICALLY SPEAKING.
By David Hautzig 21 May 2015 at 09:10
West Ham Till I Die
While I'm going to assume most of you have been able to glean my feelings on
Sam from my reports, I've resisted taking a stand on the matter until now.
Not that journalistic integrity is of any importance to me since I'm not a
journalist, I still wanted to "report" on the matches without being seen as
anti or pro Sam. But now that the hopeful turned infuriating season has
almost left us and the silly season will take its place, I want to have me
say on the matter.
I like metaphors. They are, after all, a very easy and convenient way to
make a point. And I have not one, but two for ya.
Número uno. Before I met my wife, I made some.how shall I say it..crappy
decisions on women. The common theme with each lousy relationship was that I
stayed in them long past their sell by date. While all of my good friends,
two of whom were clinical psychologists, were telling me I was bonkers for
staying with someone that made me miserable I stuck with it. Why? Because at
the time, for whatever reason, the idea of being single was far worse to me
than the reality of staying with someone I didn't like. And to that end, I
have to wonder if the people who advocate giving Sam a new deal actually
want him to stay or are afraid of him leaving? Those two notions are very
different from each other, with the latter being patently unhealthy.
Número Dos. Maybe you know this, and maybe you don't. I'm in the wine and
craft spirits business. I spend my days driving from wine shops to
restaurants and back again with a car full of yummy, alcoholic beverages. As
much as I like my retail customers, it's restaurants where I get my jollies.
And my enjoyment of food and restaurants isn't limited to my work. I've been
fortunate enough to dine at some pretty stunning places, both in New York
and in London. Le Bernardin, Bouley, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern and
Eleven Madison Park over here. Gordon Ramsay, Petrus, Maze, Chez Bruce and
The Square over there. Let's pretend that West Ham is a restaurant and Sam
is the chef. He's a very competent cook who consistently puts out solid
food, all while keeping the costs at a percentage the owners are very happy
with. And to top it off, the staff like him. But now the owners want to step
it up by going for a prized Michelin Star. As solid and predicable as Sam
is, they have serious questions as to whether Sam is the chef to lead them
on their quest. And so they decide to make a change.
Neither of these metaphors are rock solid, particularly the second one. My
mate, the ever reliable ExWHUemployee, challenged the second one by pointing
out that changing chefs and the entire theme of the restaurant could also
alienate many loyal customers who are happy with the stuff they are
consuming. Understood. With any change, there is an element of risk. The key
is making the kind of change that both offers the opportunity to improve, as
well as minimizes the risk.
Sean did a great piece yesterday laying out all of the names linked with us.
Some fill me with excitement, others terror. Bielsa scares me because his
requirement to run a full marathon every match might cause problems, not to
mention cardiac arrest. Bilic has somehow become a legend despite his brief
time at Upton Park, but doing well in Turkey may not equate to doing well
here. I think Rafa is a bit overrated. Give him the 10th best side in the
country and he will have them fourth. Give him the 2nd best side and he will
have them fourth. And both scenarios would be very expensive. After spending
something like 200 million pounds at Liverpool, he told the media he needed
more funds for players. Klopp has only gotten a mention because he's going
to be unemployed the same time Sam could be, although I wouldn't kick him
off the touch line for eating crackers. To be honest, Klopp would be wise to
look at us as an English version of Dortmund, the kind of place that he
could build in his own image.
To say that Sam Allardyce is a bad manager is, quite frankly, absurd. You
may not like him or his football, but that doesn't make him the imposter
some make him out to be. We've lived through Glenn Roeder and Moron Grant.
We know bad managers as well as anyone. Virtually every neutral pundit
thinks we would be mad to let him walk. And until recently, the pragmatic
notion of keeping Sam was acceptable to me. But I've been a sports fan for a
long time, and I have never seen a coach/manager divide a set of fans like
Sam. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen one talked about as much as Sam.
For that reason alone it might be imperative we make a change. Which is
unfortunate on some level. Where did it all go so wrong? I remember
screaming with delight watching Sam jump into Neil McDonald's arms two years
ago after Maiga put us up 3-1 over Chelsea. I remember laughing heartily as
Russell Brand planted a wet one on Sam's cheek after we beat Citeh. This was
his real opportunity to leave a positive legacy, not just on a club but on
himself. But hubris and animosity got in his way. One day, maybe while
sipping a nice Burgundy with his pal Fergie, he will look back and realize
he could have made it work and he had only himself to blame for it falling
apart.
Which leads me to the final name that has made the rounds, David Moyes. To
my somewhat risk averse way of thinking, he provides what we need. A fresh
look at things all the while being as safe a pair of hands as Allardyce.
I've read many a tweet and comment that oppose the idea almost as fervently
as they oppose Sam, saying it's no more than a sideways move. Yet for all we
know his edict while at Everton was to play a style that made the Toffees
hard to beat, and that if asked he could switch things up. And it's not like
Van Gaal has had an easy time at Man U, leading me to believe Moyes was
given a raw deal at Old Trafford. Until recently I thought him joining us
was pretty close to a dead cert. Tony Henry is on board, he has a release
clause to join an EPL team if asked, Etc. But after his interview with Sid
Lowe in The Guardian it's more dead in the water than nailed on. Which I'm
very disappointed about. I think David Moyes has a lot to say about what
kind of manager he is.
I hope he changes his mind and let's West Ham United hand him the
microphone.
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THE WEST HAM MANAGERIAL MERRY GO ROUND
By Sean Whetstone 20 May 2015 at 16:28
West Ham Till I Die
It has been a strange week as speculation about Sam Allardyce and his
possible replacement reaches fever pitch ahead of Sunday's game against
Newcastle. Yesterday the Telegraph claimed that the West Ham board will call
a meeting with Sam Allardyce on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May less than 24
hours after the full whistle of the season. Sources close to the board claim
that Karren Brady remains his sole supporter in the board room.
Big Sam
Matt Law claims Allardyce will be gone by the end of that meeting and says
Sam will be flying out for holidays on Tuesday regardless of the meeting
outcome.
The Daily Mirror claim he has been contacting utility companies giving final
meter readings for his London flat as he prepares to leave West Ham. They
add that Allardyce has begun the process of moving out of his 40th floor
Canary Wharf apartment ahead of what is expected to be his departure next
week following the final game of the season.
According to Ken Dyer in the London Evening Standard Allardyce will move out
of his Canary Wharf rented apartment on Friday. Dyer quotes a club source as
saying: "The apartment has been sold. Sam should have moved out last week
but was given an extension. It would be a mistake to read too much into
this."
Another hint of the possible outcome of the meeting is that West Ham have
given permission League 2 Stevenage permission to speak to Teddy Sheringham
about the soon to be vacant manager position. The CEO of Stevenage is the
former West Ham commercial director Barry Webber. Today, Stevenage
officially confirmed they are looking to appoint Teddy as their new manager.
Meanwhile the West Ham managerial short list race of candidates hots up.
Rafa Benitez
Primary candidate Rafa Benitez has refused to commit his future to Napoli
after crashing out of the Europa semi final and getting banned for a league
game for calling 'All Italian football s**t'. It is understood that Rafa has
retained a family home in the UK and his family frequently spend time in the
UK. This week Rafa became the odds on bookies favourite at 4/5 to succeed
Allardyce with some media outlets claiming he agreed a deal in principle
worth £3m per year with the Hammers.
In recent days Benitez has been linked to Real Madrid and his odds were
drastically slashed from 16/1 to 4/1 after Sky's Spanish football expert
Guillem Balague says Real Madrid have sounded out both Jurgen Klopp and Rafa
Benitez to see if they would be interested in taking over from Carlo
Ancelotti. There is also credible information that Napoli have offered a
massive pay rise to Benitez for him to stay at the helm. He is thought to
currently earn £2.92m at Napoli so they would well price us out the market
for his services.
Meanwhile Benitez has also been linked to a return to Liverpool and an
unlikely move to Manchester City. Liverpool fans chartered a plane to
display a banners saying 'Rodgers out Rafa In' during a recent game in May.
David Moyes
Joint second favourite in the bookies list remains David Moyes, despite him
appearing to count himself out of a move away from Real Sociedad. "There's
always speculation, but I'm here to do the job," Moyes told The Guardian.
"I'm going to be here. I want to try to get everything in place so we can be
at our best for the start of next season.
I don't think we need masses and masses, but there are improvements I'd like
to make, things I want to change. Small things that will help. And if we do
that. "I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere."
His words have not stopped him being linked with the Sunderland manager's
job in the past 24 hours and Darren Lewis from the Daily Mirror suggests
this morning that West Ham might be able to lure Moyes away suggesting "West
Ham have not given up on landing David Moyes as a replacement for Sam
Allardyce."
Slaven Bilic
The other joint second favourite is Slaven Bilic priced at 4/1 by many
bookies. The former Hammer revealed he expects Besiktas to let him leave
this summer after taking charge in the summer of 2013. He told TV cameras :
"My intention was to stay here. Now I don't know if this is possible. The
responsibility for the defeats is all mine, I am going to sit down with the
management. But I know how football works, especially in Turkey. I don't see
myself being given a chance to manage Besiktas next season". The Croatian,
who has also managed Lokomotiv Moscow, Hajduk Split and the Croatian
national team, spent eighteen months as a Hammer before moving on to Everton
in 1997.
Besiktas have released a statement on their website this afternoon denying
rumours that head coach Slaven Bilic has been sacked.
The statement read: "Rumours that Besiktas have sacked Slaven Bilic are
false, the board will hold a board meeting today."
Jurgen Klopp
Reports on social media claimed yesterday Klopp will sign a three-year deal
with Real Madrid worth 8 million euros per year. The report has since been
discredited but the manager was photographed in Turkey earlier this week
when it is claimed he held talks with Fenerbahce. Yesterday the Daily
Express reported that former Chelsea man Michael Ballack has backed Jurgen
Klopp to be working in the Premier League next season suggesting Machester
City or Liverpool would be a good fit.
According to The Mirror, West Ham's hierarchy made an audacious approach to
try and lure Klopp to the Hammers next season, after he announced his
resignation as Borussia Dortmund head coach and will leave the Bundesliga
club at the end of the season. Sources close to the club say he hasn't
rejected an approach but equally he hasn't openly engaged in talks. Klopp
will only talk to potential clubs at the end of the season.
Michael Laudrup
Seen as a plan B by many if other primary managerial targets turn West Ham
down. The man himself seemed to distance himself away from a move to the
Hammers yesterday after being quoted in the media.
He told Spanish newspaper Marca: "It's a time when many rumours appear, but
there is nothing concrete. I am in the process of renewing [my contract]
with Lekhwiya, they want me here. I will decide it in two weeks."I am not
going to accept an offer from a mid-table club in England or Spain. They are
experiences that I have already lived and, at this stage of my life as a
coach, I look for new things. If a big club comes [calling], I will not say
no to them, but I would like to try [coaching] in the United States if not
given the opportunity."
Marcelo Bielsa
Back in March the Daily Mirror claimed that Marcelo Bielsa was on West Ham's
radar. He has been labelled "the best coach on the planet" by Pep Guardiola
and his attacking philosophy would bring a new edge to the Premier League.
Bielsa is has been doing well in charge of Marseille this season, but his
contract situation in France beyond this season remains unclear. The rumours
have resurfaced in the last few days but his lack of English language and
experience of the Premier League would make him a bigger gamble for the
board.
Frank de Boer
De Boer is another name who claimed to have been targeted by the Hammers in
recent days. De Boer is currently in charge of Ajax, and this is the first
season since 2010 in which he has claimed no silverware. Four successive
Eredivisie titles have been won in his reign - something never done before
in the Netherlands - whilst he also claimed the Johan Cruijff Shield in
2013. De Boer is a young, progressive manager who plays attacking, stylish
football. He has a proven record of bringing youth players through into the
first-team set-up, and has experience of the European football.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe's success in getting Bournemouth promoted to the Premier League
has made the thirty-seven year old one of the hottest managerial prospect
around.
He is thought to be another name in a backup list of potential managerial
candidates.
A club source recently told Claret and Hugh "We have two lists of candidates
- and he is top of List two. It may just be too early but he is among the
runners for certain."
Bournemouth would be reluctant to give up their manager in their first
season in the big time.
Mark Warburton
Outgoing Brentford manager Mark Warburton is another surprise candidate to
be linked by the media. Warburton will leave Brentford at the end of the
season, despite leading them into the play-offs this year. He could be
another manager on list two but would be seen as a massive gamble. Bookies
still believe he has a chance and he is priced joint fifth favourite with
Eddie How at 20/1.
Carlo Ancelotti
Possibly my favourite rumour has been Real Madrid's Ancelotti based comments
he made about West Ham four years ago. In 2011 Ancelotti said: 'I would
coach West Ham - why not? It's a challenge to manage a team in the
Championship.The atmosphere at West Ham is amazing. It doesn't matter if you
manage a top team or a smaller team.
It's more important to work. I was happy to train in the second division
when I was learning. When you manage, you don't think about the money. It
has never been a motivation for me."
However somethings are stranger than fiction. I understand Ancelotti was
approached by a text message but no reply was received.
The others
Steve McLaren was briefly linked to the West Ham manager job by ESPN earlier
this month but West Ham insiders quickly dismissed the suggestion saying
there had been no contact and he was not on a list. Glenn Hoddle was also
ruled out by Hammers chiefs despite being linked to West Ham for some time.
Harry Redknapp is another name far from any list with neither side keen to
rekindle days gone by. Today the Sun reported a new name, claiming Werder
Bremen's Ukrainian coach Viktor Skrypnyk was on the wanted list but again
this was quickly dismissed by sources close to West Ham as rubbish.
Other names mentioned to be in manager frame without much foundation are
Juande Ramos Unai Emery Aitor Karamka Gus Poyet Brendan Rodgers Dieter
Hecking Neil Lennon and Roberto Di Matteo
Are you still keeping up? Well we should all know in less than 144 hours.
What will the papers, websites, blogs and forums have to write about next?
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Bilic is new bookies favourite
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Two bookmakers, Paddy Power and Bet Victor have installed former Hammer
Slaven Bilic as the new favourite to become the 15th manager of West Ham.
Bilic odds have shortened to 5/2 with Paddy Power after the announcement
today he will leave Beşiktaş at the end of the season.
Meanwhile Benitez has become the red hot odds on favourite to become the
next Real Madrid manager over night with Paddy Power only offering 1/7 (odds
on) to land the job. This afternoon Betfair announced 'We've suspended
betting on the next Real Madrid Manager market after heavy backing for
Benitez'
Another West Ham target Jurgen Klopp has dropped out to 7/2 to manage Real
Madrid despite reports in Germany earlier this week he had agreed a 8.5m
Euro per season deal with Real.
Current Real manager Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to depart this
summer after failing to retain the Champions League or regain the La Liga
title. Ancelotti is reported to have agreed to leave Real Madrid and has
emerged as favourite to take charge of AC Milan next season.
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Sky prioritise Newcastle v West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
On Monday Newcastle v West Ham was confirmed as one of the live TV matches
to be shown on Sunday. Hull v Manchester United and Chelsea v Sunderland
were also confirmed as live games. Sky have now taken the unusual step of
switching their priority between the other two matches. Originally Hull was
named as the featured relegation match, showing live on their main Sky
Sports 1 channel, with build-up from 2pm. Newcastle v West Ham were named as
the secondary game to be shown on Sky Sports 3, with coverage only starting
at 2.55pm, five minutes before kick-off. Sky have now flipped the coverage
and made St. James' Park their featured match.
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Sakho hits back at web critics
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Sakho has hit back at a Senegalese news website who dared to criticise him
for suggesting Adrian was a worthy winner of Hammer of the year. "He has
always been great from the very start of the season," Sakho told WHUFC.com
afte Adrian missed out on Hammer of the year "As I always say I think he is
the one that deserves the trophy of the best player at the club, with all
that he's done since the start of the season."
The french language website Sport Senegal covered his website comments
saying "Diafra Sakho contests the vote of supporters. Known for not having
his tongue in his pocket, Sakho has once again proved that he did not mince
words. Comments that obviously did not fail to offend Aaron Cresswell."
Sakho took to Instragram as his right of reply to put the record straight.
"Post information just to make bad a player with his teammates is really bad
on the part of the Senegalese news websites. I am an honest person and if I
have something to tell my teammates I did not need to go through media
interposes."
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Sheringham leaves West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Stevenage FC have officially confirmed that West Ham attacking coach Teddy
Sheringham will take over as as Manager in the summer.
The 49 year old was appointed Hammer's attacking coach on a part-time basis
back in May 2014. Stevenage has close ties with West Ham because it's Chief
Executive, Barry Webber was commercial Director at West Ham until last
year.
Asked about the influence of Allardyce's situation, Sheringham said: 'It has
probably helped. 'If Sam had been told four months ago that he was staying
in the job he probably would have sorted his backroom staff to stay. The
longer it has gone on, the uncertainty has left things very open. This
chance has come about and it felt right.If Sam had asked me four months ago
I probably would have stayed another year and seen where it had taken me.'
Sheringham will need a UEFA B license to manage the the league two side but
he will have 12 weeks to enroll on a UEFA B license approved course to
comply with football league regulations.
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Bilic departure confirmed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Besiktas president Fikret Orman has today confirmed that head coach Slaven
Bilic will leave at the end of the season. "We will part on good terms, the
new manager will be a name nobody can dispute. He will be the architect of
our future success to take us to the next level in our new stadium," Orman
told the Hürriyet. Bilic will remain in charge for the Istanbul derby
against Galatasaray on Sunday and also the final game of the season against
Gençlerbirliği. Bilic odds as next West Ham manager with bookmakers have
shortened in recent days after rumours that favourite Rafa Benitez will turn
down the Hammers in favor of Real Madrid. Sky Bet currently have Benitez are
3/1 while Bilic is priced at 7/2. Rival bookmakers Bet Victor have Benitez
and Bilic as joint favourites at 5/2. Benitez was an odds on favorite until
a few days ago. David Moyes has now slipped out as much as 10/1 with some
bookies.
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Sullivan defends Biesla
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Chairman's son Jack Sullivan has rushed to defend Marcelo Bielsa on social
media after a West Ham fan claimed the Marseilles boss was the wrong man for
the Irons manager's job. Adam Leatherbarrow tweeted David Gold and the
Sullivan boys stating 'Bielsa is the wrong man for our club. Big no no. Try
Carlo Ancellotti' Young Jack replied 'Belisa is a great manger in my
[Opinion], [Did] very well at Marseille!!'
When the tweet was highlighted by other fans as to who might replace
Allardyce this summer, Sullivan junior moved quickly to pour cold water on
the rumour mill, insisting he was just speaking his own mind. The youngster
simply added: "Don't read into it. My opinion."
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Ian Hendon linked with Leyton Orient
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Hammers first team coach Ian Hendon has been to the vacant manager post at
Leyton Orient.
The O's sacked Italian boss Fabio Liverani last week, following their
relegation from League One. Former Italy international Liverani became
Orient's fourth manager of the season in December when he replaced
compatriot Mauro Milanese.
Former Leyton Orient defender Matt Lockwood has urged O's owner Francesco
Becchetti to appoint a manager who has experience in England.
Hendon played for Tottenham, Barnet and Leyton Orient and had spells
managing Barnet and Dover Athletic as well assistant manager of Gillingham
before he joined West Ham in 2011.
Hendon has become the latest of Sam's backroom boys to be linked with an
exist from West Ham. Attacking coach Teddy Sheringham will soon be confirmed
as manager of League 2 Stevenage while assistant manager Neil McDonald has
been linked with the Blackpool job.
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"You know McDonald would be useless"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Speculation that Neil McDonald could be on his way to Blackpool has not gone
down well with fans of the newly relegated Championship outfit. With Sam
Allardyce seemingly on his way out of Upton Park, the backroom team seems to
be splintering with Teddy Sheringham set to be named as manager of Stevenage
Town. And there is a new buzz on the grapevince that Leyton Orient are keen
to speak with Ian Hndon although as yet no permission has been given by the
Irons, However, on www,fansonline.net one Blackpool supporter made his
feelings clear on the McDonald link saying: You know just by his face and
the size of the big lummox he'd be useless. He's been on easy street for 15
years, earning probably 20k a week, as Big SAMs assistant. He'd have no fire
in his belly. You can tell he's been coasting by the size of him. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McDonald linked with Blackpool
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 21, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham Assistant Manager McDonald has been linked with the Blackpool
manager job recently vacated by Lee Clark. The forty-nine year-old was
linked with a vacant job at Carlisle United recently but chose to remain
loyal to the Sam Allardyce, however this time it could be different
considering Allardyce is likely to be out of a job by Tuesday. McDonald has
worked alongside Big Sam at Bolton and Blackburn as well as at West Ham. He
had a successful spell as manager of Carlisle seven years ago before being
sacked just one game into the new season for non-footballing reasons never
fully explained. Allardyce himself previously managed Blackpool between
1994-1996 achieving a 43% win ratio. West Ham attacking coach Teddy
Sheringham is set to unveiled as the new manger of Stevenage at 1.30pm press
conference today.
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Report: Chelsea and Manchester City want West Ham loanee Alex Song
John Verrall
HITC
West Ham United had been wanting to sign Alex Song, but they reportedly face
competition from Chelsea and Manchester City. Chelsea and Manchester City
are both interested in signing Alex Song, according to the Daily Star. Song,
who has been made available for transfer by Barcelona, is apparently of
interest to the Premier League giants due to his home-grown status. Song
first arrived in English football at the age of 17, when he was snapped up
by Arsenal, and he would help both the Blues and City to fill their quota
for the Champions League.
The duo's interest is bad news for West Ham United, as the London side had
wanted to sign Song in the summer transfer window. Song has impressed on a
loan spell at the Boleyn Ground this season and the Hammers intended on
making his stay a more permanent one. With Chelsea and City both able to
offer the Cameroonian international Champions League football, they face a
battle to keep him, though. The Hammers have fallen away after a great start
to the campaign and it may be that their failure to make it into Europe
costs them the opportunity of keeping Song.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
3 REASONS DEPARTING BESIKTAS BOSS IS A GOOD WEST HAM FIT
Bilic took a step towards becoming the Hammers boss in announcing Turkish
departure
21 May 2015
Ladbrokes.com
West Ham fans want Sam Allardyce out and Slaven Bilic in and, after the
latter announced he will be leaving the Turkish club at the end of the
season, that dream took another step to becoming a reality.
The Hammers are widely expected to wave goodbye to Allardyce if not at the
final whistle of their final game against Newcastle on Sunday, which they
are 7/2 to win, then pretty soon afterwards.
The man favoured to take the reins is former Irons defender Bilic, who
stoked the fires of managerial rumour by first stating he was ready to hold
talks over any potential vacancy with the east Londoners, then announcing
his imminent departure from his current club.
As manager of Besiktas since 2013, Bilic has won over half of the 90 games
he has taken charge of and this season looks set to guide them to a
third-place finish in the Super Lig, behind long-standing powerhouses
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Although the fans may yearn for his appointment, is there any reason other
than his popularity that make him a good fit for the claret and blue club?
Here's three:
1) Nous on the road
No side has been better than Besiktas on the road during the Turkish
domestic season this term, with the Black Eagles winning 12 of the 16 away
games they have played in the league to date.
Although their third-ranked attack obviously catches the eye when playing
away from home, it is a rock-solid defence that helps Bilic claim so many
points in opposition stadiums.
The Istanbul club have kept seven clean sheets in their away games this
season and have conceded just 11 goals in that time, which would be a
welcome change for the Hammers if the Croat were to bring that tight ship to
east London.
West Ham have hovered just above the relegation zone in terms of away
results during the current campaign, have conceded 27 goals in their 18
games and managed just two clean sheets.
2) Fortress building
While their exemplary record away from home takes the headlines, Besiktas'
home form under Bilic this season has been nothing to turn the nose up
either.
Only three teams have arrived at the club's Olympic Stadium and come away
with all three points, while only five draws indicates that the former
Croatian manager will strive for positive results, music to the ears of
expectant Hammers fans.
3) Fan affiliation
It cannot be ignored. Clearly the West Ham fans want one of their supposed
"own" in charge of their club, making Allardyce's services obsolete despite
the stellar job he has done to turn the club into a more aesthetically
pleasing unit on the board's request.
No matter what the former Bolton man does, it seems, will be appreciated by
the majority of Irons but, with a man they adore in charge, their may well
be a chance for the club to push on with all sections holding a mutual
respect for each other.
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