Daily WHUFC News - 1st June 2015

West Ham expand manager search after Marcelo Bielsa move divides the board
22:30, 30 MAY 2015
BY DEAN JONES
Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is the latest name to catch their eye,
despite an unsuccessful stint at Galatasaray earlier this season
The Mirror

West Ham are expanding their search for a new boss as the board are divided
over making a formal move for Marcelo Bielsa. Marseille boss Bielsa emerged
as a strong candidate to replace Sam Allardyce because of his exciting brand
of football and ability to develop emerging talent. However, not all members
of the hierarchy are convinced he would be a success and are keeping the
door open to other options. Bielsa, 59, is now being offered a new deal in
France but West Ham owners will not be rushed into their next appointment.

Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is the latest name to catch their eye,
despite an unsuccessful stint at Galatasaray earlier this season. They have
also shown interest in Ajax coach Frank De Boer but it is understood the
Dutchman has no interest in the job. Unai Emery, the Sevilla manager who won
the Europa League this week, is on the radar while Slaven Bilic also remains
on the list of David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady.

Meanwhile, West Ham will sign a new back-up goalkeeper this week as
Birmingham's Darren Randolph has agreed a four-year deal.

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West Ham make £5.75m bid for Sampdoria's Spain Under 21 midfielder Pedro
Obiang
22:30, 30 MAY 2015
BY STEVE BATES
The 23-year-old box-to-box Spaniard has was tracked by Hammers scouts last
season as he scored 3 times in 33 Serie A games for the club
The Mirror

West Ham have made their first moves in the summer transfer market lodging a
£5.75 million bid for Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang.

The 23-year-old box-to-box Spaniard has was tracked by Hammers scouts last
season as he scored 3 times in 33 Serie A games for the club, report the
Sunday People.

Obiang, capped by Spain at Under 17,19 and 21 level, is also a target for
clubs in Italy as well as his native Spain where he started his career in
the youth set-up before leaving for Sampdoria at 16.

Europa League winners Sevilla and Valencia have also watched Obiang
regularly while Tottenham and Everton have also been at Sampdoria matches
this season to check the powerful midfielder.

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Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano: From Upton Park to the Champions League
final
23:09, 30 MAY 2015
BY STEVE STAMMERS
Now a UEFA dignitary, Eggert Magnusson saw the Argentines come and go from
Upton Park during his year as chairman
The Mirror

This Saturday night, in the ­Olympiastadion Berlin, Eggert Magnusson will
take his seat among the UEFA dignitaries to watch the Champions League
final. And he will be watching two players who were both released by West
Ham during his year-long tenure at Upton Park because they were unwanted.
Javier Mascherano stayed only four months and played five games while Carlos
Tevez was there for one season and featured 26 times – while Icelandic
businessman Magnusson was executive chairman. Now Mascherano lines up for
Barcelona and Tevez for Juventus but Magnusson absolves himself and the club
hierarchy of ­responsibility for the brilliant pair making such a brief stay
at the Boleyn Ground. He insists: "Don't blame me. It was down to the
managers."

Back in November 2006, Magnusson was installed at West Ham in a takeover.
Alan Pardew was the team boss and not only was the team ­struggling, but
Tevez and Mascherano could not get a regular run in the side. "It appeared,
when we looked at it, that the manager did not really want them," said
Magnusson. There was a suspicion among the consortium that bought out Terry
Brown that the club was something of a last resort. The two Argentines had
been together at Brazilian club ­Corinthians but ­struggled to find a
­European club to take them. West Ham did – and it appeared the club was
just being used as a shop window. "We did not know about the contract
­situation with Javier and Carlos until we took over," said Magnusson. "It
was very ­complicated."

So complicated that the third party ownership involving ­entrepreneur and
agent Kia Joorabchian cost West Ham a £5.5million fine from the Premier
League and an £18.1m compensation payment to Sheffield United, who were
relegated while West Ham survived. "They were lovely guys," recalled
Magnusson. "But they did not speak English and were not playing ­regularly.
There were no restrictions on when they should play. None." And the salaries
were also an issue. "They were high," confirmed Magnusson.

Pardew was sacked in the December and replaced by Alan Curbishley. He had
Mascherano for less than a month before he went on loan to ­Liverpool – a
move finalised in an £18.5m deal at the end of the season. Crystal Palace
manager Alan PardewIn charge: Alan Pardew was Hammers' boss when the
Argentine duo joined the East London club
"Again, it was the manager's decision, not that of the board," said
Magnusson. "The club was not in a good ­position in the league. He decided
on the players he wanted and the salaries were a lot less than Mascherano's.
The saving was a lot of money. "Mascherano had not been a good player for
West Ham because he hadn't been used. We needed people who would help the
club stay up. "But it was the management who made the final decision, not
the board."

Tevez stayed and ­Curbishley's decision to keep him was inspired. Sheffield
United lost at home to Wigan on the final day and Tevez scored against
Manchester United, keeping West Ham in the Premier League. Tevez moved to
United that summer and in September 2007 Magnusson stepped down as executive
chairman, selling his five per cent stake three months later. He is now
retired and works for UEFA and the Icelandic FA.

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Eddie Howe becomes bookies second favourite
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

In the volatile betting market for next West Ham Manager, Bournemouth
manager Eddie Howe was made a surprise second favourite by bookmaker SkyBet
last night at odds at 5/1. He is the forth second favourite within the last
week as the bookies react to every rumour and significant bet placed for the
next gaffer. However, not all bookmakers see Howe as a credible replacement
for Allardyce and PaddyPower are still offering odds of 16/1 and list him
as seventh favourite.

When Howe's name was linked in March our regular West Ham insider told us
the board admire the manager but he lacks Premier League experience so would
be seen as a gamble. He told us.

"Somewhere down the line it's a yes but the issue remains the same. we can't
have a rookie boss. He's a great boss but he would likely stay where he is
anyway. We really do need experience."

The 37-year-old has taken Bournemouth from the bottom four of the Football
League in 2008 to the promised land of the Premier League. Forward-thinking
Howe has shown himself able to assert his authority and impressed his staff
and players with his training methods. His contract at the club runs until
the summer of 2018 and Howe has always had the full backing of owner Maxim
Demin.

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Atletico Madrid beat West Ham in final
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

A golden goal from Atletico Madrid gave them a 3-2 Cup victory over West Ham
in the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens final in Kong Kong today.

West Ham had victory in their sight with a brace from Jaanai Gordon either
side of half-time lifting hopes of the Soccer sevens cup. But with three
minutes left, Atletico pulled off a comeback scoring two goals in the space
of 80 seconds to push the final into extra-time.

Newcastle lost in the semi finals when goalkeeper Adam Bartlett was shown
the red card midway through the first half for a challenge on West Ham's
Oscar Borg just outside the penalty area.

Hammers striker Gordon squeezed a shot between a defender and the keeper to
open the scoring in the fourth minute. Gordon then added a second soon after
the break with a breakaway goal. "It was unfortunate to score two goals and
still end up on the losing side. Atletico are a good side and this happens,"
said 19-year-old Gordon.

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Benitez issues has Davids playing catch-up
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

The impatience and frustration over the managerial position is
understandable!

But the mud slinging and downright anger plus accusations that theissuer
should have been sorted before getting rid of Sam Allardyce is not.

No manager will move on until the season comes to anend when they are
involved in their own club issues – it doesn't happen.

But had Real Madrid not hijacked Rafa Benitez with whom we were a couple of
hours from reaching a deal we wouldn't be in the current position

Right now there are four big names on the list to take over; Jurgen Klopp,
Unai Emery and Carlo Ancelloti are three of them – the other is remaining a
closely guarded secret which no amount of alternative questioning can
uncover.

Klopp and Emery – as reported here – have both been linked with Napoli
whilst Ancelloti is still planning to take a year out to undergo surgery –
we'll see!

The two Davids are of course taking stick in certain areas for not getting
the thing sorted but they are coming back from the Benitez position and may
or may not land one of the four on their list. They are playing catch-up but
they refuse to panic.

It would of course be very easy to go and get one of the second level
candidates and they don't need naming. You know who they are.

But until the co-owners are absolutely certain that none of the top choices
are available they are refusing to go for second and third fiddles.

Personally, I'm happy with that. How bad would it be to install a boss who
was very much a back-up candidate and then find that one of the above named
became available.

Patience is not a virtue commonly found in this game but given the Benitez
scenario let's cut the bosses some slack because personally I believe we'll
know who is taking over within 14 days.

Frustrating? Yes…End of the world? Most definitely not.

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Increased bid for Song's replacement
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Reports gathering pace again today claim that Pedro Obiang is nearing a move
to West Ham to become the second summer signing of the season. Two tabloids
claim that West Ham have lodged a fresh £5.75M (8 million Euro) bid with
Sampdoria increasing a previous bid of 7.5 million Euros they made earlier
this month.

In early May Sport Italia journalist Alfredo Pedulla said the Hammers had
reached an agreement in principle with Sampdoria for the transfer Pedro
Obiang for a fee at 7.5 million Euros (£5.4m) but late interest from Spurs
and Stoke City encouraged Sampdoria to slap another one million Euros on his
asking price. If the latest reports are to be believed the two parties have
met half way on the transfer fee.

The Spanish midfielder has made 60 appearances for Sampdoria since 2010
scoring just one goal. Obiang was capped for Spain at youth levels and is
seen as an ideal replacement for Alex Song.

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Hammers waiting on Emery response
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Reports that Unai Emery will make up his mind this week whether to take over
at West Ham or Napoli have emerged this morning.

And West Ham have confirmed exclusively to ClaretandHugh within the last few
minutes that they are waiting on a response from the Seville manager but
claim it's not a two way choice.

A top source told us: "It's more a case of us, Napoli or staying where he is
now Seville have qualified for the Champions League. We will have to be
patient for a few more days."

The 43-year-old Europa League winning boss is reported as being impressed
with our ambition and forthcoming move into the Olympic Stadium.

And with Napoli also understood to be interested in Jurgen Klopp an
interesting few days are ahead of us.

The news that we are bang in there negotiating for the man who has been
described as "the next Jose Mourinho" by some is another indication that the
two Davids are determined to try getting the very best whilst they are on
the market.

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West Ham linked with another Italian boss
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Jason Burt writing in yesterday's Telegraph has suggested West Ham have been
in contact with representatives of current national Italian manager Antonio
Conte but he wants to remain in post for the Euro 2016 tournament.

Burt claims "Intriguingly there is also understood to have been some contact
from West Ham with Antonio Conte, the former Juventus coach, but he intends
to remain as the coach of Italy until the conclusion of Euro 2016."

A few months ago Burt suggested Conte was considering quitting Italy after
receiving death threats via social media from Juventus fans. Conte won three
consecutive Serie A titles with Juve before succeeding Cesare Prandelli as
Italy coach after the World Cup failure. Prandelli was also linked to West
Ham earlier this week although the Hammers are thought to have rejected a
move from his representatives.

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Beckenbauer: 'Klopp will go to Napoli'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Jurgen Klopp will be the next Coach of Napoli after Rafa Benitez goes to
Real Madrid, claims Franz Beckenbauer.

"Next season Klopp will be training in the South of Italy, at Napoli,"
German legend Beckenbauer told Sky Sport Deutschland.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager had been linked to West Ham, Liverpool
and Napoli but Beckenbauer says he has agreed to replace Rafa Benitez if
Napoli snatch third place from Lazio this evening which would put them in
the preliminary round of the Champions League.

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Carr on Rio: 'I convinced him to play centre-back'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

"I just remember him coming to the training ground, he was choosing which
club he would sign for. He was a tall, skinny, skilful midfield player,"
West Ham Ambassador Tony Carr has told the Press Association about first
meeting of former Hammer Rio Ferdinand who retired from football this week.

"He had attacking instincts but the one thing that did strike me was his
enthusiasm for the game, he just loved to play and that shone all the way
through for me. In some respects some of that is missing from the game these
days with some players."

"The environment that was created around the club at that time, it was – and
is – a very welcoming club to everybody, parents and players alike. There
was always a friendly voice or a bit of advice from anybody if any of the
young players had problems – there were always people there for the
players."

"He could do most things. He has a good left foot, a good right foot. He
could run, jump, create things. He had a fine touch on the ball and an
astute awareness of what was around him. It was obvious from the word go
that the boy had a lot of talent."

"Where that talent takes you at that age you don't know but my first
impression was that he was very talented and an all-round player. He had
more all-round ability than a lot of young players at that time."

"He had most things that you would have needed to become a professional
footballer. I never had doubts but you never know for sure. It was about
making sure he was at the right club, which we felt was West Ham."

"It was very obvious that he had ability abound and could do everything
asked of him. He only ever needed to be told anything once and he would
grasp it and get on with it. I wouldn't say that I have seen a more talented
player, a more all-round player than him."

"He wasn't the type of boy who would turn up and say 'I'm the governor here'
but certainly when he came on the staff as an apprentice you could see the
love and passion for the game and the confidence he oozed, the confidence in
his own ability."

"That wasn't a hindrance, it was a real plus for him that he could go out
and express himself and at a club that encouraged him to break out from the
back."

"Remember he came as a midfield player and in his youth team days I
convinced him to play centre-back, he didn't want to at first but certainly
did in the end and became a world-class player through that."

"I think there was a change afoot around that time, we needed to develop
players that could break into midfield and play their part in that area.
Obviously Rio fitted that to a tee, he read the game well and had good pace
and anticipation. He could break into midfield and be effective. He was one
of the first and the game in general started to encourage that.

"We are still looking at defenders now and it is important that they are
comfortable on the ball and Rio is one who could do that in the most
confident way.

"I'd like to think he has been truly appreciated. He has had all of the
accolades, he has won the European Cup and Premierships – been to World
Cups.

"He has been appreciated but anyone that hasn't appreciated his talents at
his best they were blinded because he was one of the best all-round
defenders this country has ever produced."

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Redknapp: 'Sam wrong boss for owners and fans'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 31, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H

Harry Redknapp reckons Sam Allardyce was always the wrong fit as West Ham
manager.

Speaking to KICCA the former Irons boss said: "Sam Allardyce was always the
wrong kind of manager for the owners and the fans at West Ham.

"I just think that Sam didn't sit with the owners. He's not how they see
their manager. Sam's a big, rough northerner.

"He's done a great job wherever he goes but I don't think there's any love
lost there between the manager and the Chairman in all honesty deep down.

"For the club and the fans, you get the impression it was a personality
issue.

"Sam's done a great job don't get me wrong, I just get the feeling that
behind the scenes Sam was not their man.

"I just get the feeling that David Sullivan, who I get on very well with,
feels they want to go in a different direction.
"The fans were not in love with Sam, for whatever reason. Don't ask me why.
A lot of them like him but a lot of them quickly turn on him when things
don't go well.

"They talk about the Academy but that was a long, long, long, long time ago
that West Ham played this wonderful football that everyone talks about.

"We're talking about Ron Greenwood's days probably and in those days he had
three players who played in a World Cup Final so it wasn't difficult to play
fantastic football. But also where did they finish in them years… bottom
half of the league even with three World Cup players.

"So you can't have it all ways, Sam produces results."
Redknapp added: "They're in that middle league, that's where you see West
Ham. At the start of the year I'd have said yeah they'll stay up, they'll be
out of that bottom six or seven who are scrapping to stay up but they won't
be in the top six or seven who are looking to get into Europe.

"They're below that Tottenham upwards level this year. So they are about
where you would expect them to be, or where you'd hope they would be.

"It's been a good season for them, middle of the table would be a good
season like it will be for Stoke and one or two other teams around there."

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