WHUFC.com
West Ham United are set to be represented by Scott Parker when England play next month
23.05.2011
Scott Parker has been named in the 26-man England squad to face Switzerland on Saturday week. The West Ham United midfielder has kept his place after his impressive performance in the 2-0 win away to Wales in the previous UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier on 26 March. Parker is the only Hammers player involved for the match, which will take place at 4.45pm on 4 June at Wembley. The 30-year-old has won five caps for his country. There was no place for club-mates Robert Green and Carlton Cole, both of whom have figured in previous Capello squads.
England squad
Scott Carson, Joe Hart, David Stockdale;
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker;
Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young;
Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora
*Jonathan Spector has been included in the United States squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition, which will take place in his home nation between 5 and 25 June. The four-times winners have been drawn in Group C alongside Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe.
*Demba Ba has been called-up for Senegal's vital 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against Cameroon in Yaounde on 4 June. Ba scored a last-minute winner in the reverse fixture in Dakar in March, taking Senegal five points clear at the top of their group with three of the six rounds of matches still to be played.
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Legends at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
The Boleyn Ground will host a special charity football match featuring some familiar faces next month
23.05.2011
Football events company Football For Fans have organised a special match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday 6 June - kick-off 7.30pm - which will see a star-studded Hammers line-up take on a team that will represent Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.
The ex-Hammers squad includes Allen McKnight, Kenny Brown, Nigel Winterburn, Keith Rowland, Steve Potts (pictured), Ian Pearce, Mark Ward, Rob Lee, Steve Lomas, Kevin Keen, Mark Robson, Paul Allen, Geoff Pike, Don Hutchison and Stuart Slater and be managed by Tony Cottee.
Admission is £5 adults and free for Under-16s, while a charity raffle will be held on the evening.
For further details or to purchase tickets in advance please contact Kerry on 07773 776941.
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Jones agrees terms, say reports
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Speculation tonight suggests that West Ham have agreed terms with Cardiff City boss Dave Jones. 54-year-old Jones swiftly became favourite to succeed Avram Grant late this afternoon following a flurry of speculation though to have emanated from Cardiff. Whilst it is claimed that terms between the two parties have been agreed, it is not thought that Jones' appointment will naturally follow. Indeed, David Sullivan is understood to have informed a reporter tonight that a decision on Grant's successor is yet to be agreed.
With a list of ten names currently under consideration, according to a report by Harry Harris tonight, Jones is not considered to be a top target - as Sky Sports claimed earlier this evening. This, combined with the rumours from Wales tonight suggests the club may be reaching agreements with a number of parties before naming their man - therefore avoiding the possibility of a deal breaking down at the contractual stage.
Martin O'Neill, the fans' favourite to become the 14th full time manager of West Ham United is understood to remain the board's candidate of choice. Unlike several of his potential rivals, the former Aston Villa boss - who rejected West Ham's overtures just four months ago - is yet to comment publicly about the link.
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Sign Jones? 15,000 Cardiff fans can't be wrong
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Supporters of Cardiff City have reacted with delight to the news that manager Dave Jones has been installed as the latest favourite to become West Ham United's new manager. Sky Sports News claimed this afternoon that the the former Southampton, Wolves and Stockport manager was West Ham's top target to fill the post vacated by Avram Grant a fortnight ago. And the news was warmly welcomed in Cardiff where Jones's stock is said to be at an all time low.
"[I] will drive him there myself, but I think there are 15,000 in front of me..." - tommo blue
"West Ham fans are a passionate bunch like us, they won't warm to him quickly if he does go there," said eighty_8 on Bluebirds message board http://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk. "C'mon Gold & Sullivan, make it happen. It should rule West Ham out of the running [for] next season!"
Meanwhile fellow City supporter Bluebirds Fan 101 DJ OUT, posting tonight on fans' forum http://www.ccmb.co.uk suggested that Jones had a reputation for failing to fully utilise his youth - news which will be anathema to Hammers fans.
However bobh was rather more circumspect, stating: "It's best for both Cardiff and Jones if he goes there. If he couldn't get City up with last season's squad, he probably never will. He'll probably take West Ham United straight up."
News of West Ham's apparent interest in Jones - and it remains the case that nobody from the club has yet confirmed the reports - had been received rather less warmly on Irons forums tonight.
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Jobs for the boys
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Hammers Paolo Di Canio and Alan Davonshire are both celebrating this afternoon after landing new management jobs. Former fans' favourite Di Canio was officially unveiled as the new manager of League Two outfit Swindon Town today - and insisted that he was delighted to have been given the opportunity to take his first, tentative steps in management. "I'm starting a new career. I'm a manager, not a footballer anymore," he told a packed press conference. "I'm sure about my knowledge, I'm sure about my understanding of football but of course you start thinking about how you're going to start, because you have to start well. "It's important to choose the right place. I want to have success, I want to win and this is the best place."
Meanwhile Devonshire - who played for West Ham for 14 years between 1976 and 1990 - is set to be confirmed as the new manager of Blue Square Bet South champions Braintree Town later today, according to local reports. The former England winger quit his managerial role at Hampton & Richmond Borough last weekend after eight years in the post. He was previously at Maidenhead United having ended his playing career in 1992.
The conveyer belt continues: ex-Hammers currently in management
Stuart Pearce (England under 21s)
Paolo Di Canio (Swindon Town)
Alan Devonshire (Braintree Town)
Malky Mackay (Watford)
Martin Allen (Notts County)
Harry Redknapp (Tottenham)
Kevin Keen (caretaker West Ham manager)
Paul Ince (currently unemployed, sacked by Notts County last month)
Julian Dicks (currently unemployed, left Grays earlier this month)
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Keane expects to move on
Striker hopes for Premier League stay
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: May 23, 2011 10:34pm
SSN
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane accepts he is likely to be looking for yet another club this summer, but feels no need to advertise his services. Keane has endured a frustrating season after falling out of favour at White Hart Lane, with a loan spell at West Ham being hampered by injury and ending in relegation. The much-travelled 30-year-old has now linked up with the Republic of Ireland for their four summer fixtures but is not viewing them as a chance to parade his talent to prospective new employers. "It has been a frustrating season for me but that is the past now. "I will concentrate on these four games, take a break, switch off from football for a few weeks and then go back and see what happens. "I have only got one year left there [at Tottenham] so I am sure they will probably want to do business on me."
West Ham do not want to re-sign Keane following their relegation to the Championship but he would prefer to stay in the Premier League anyway - if any clubs express interest. Newly-promoted QPR have been linked but have not made any interest official. "The chances in the Premier League for me are fairly slim," added Keane. "For me it is about enjoying my football and playing as much as I can, maybe going to a team where I can maybe help the younger players that are coming through. "I am not getting any younger but I will go back and see what happens. "I am a Tottenham player and I am sure they will want to get a bit of money for me. "Whether a Championship team would pay that, that's another problem, but I want to play in the Premier League for the next couple of years." Keane is putting off all talk over his future as he prepares for Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier in Macedonia on 4th June. He said: "I am really looking forward to being with the Irish team, switching off from the Premier League and helping this team get three points against Macedonia."
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Grant admits disappointment
Former Hammers chief speaks for first time about departure
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: May 23, 2011 10:34pm
SSN
Avram Grant has admitted his disappointment at losing his job at West Ham following their relegation. The Israeli was dismissed by the West Ham board after their relegation was confirmed by defeat at Wigan last weekend. Grant, speaking for the first time over the manner of his departure at the LMA awards on Monday night, felt his side were unlucky to suffer relegation. "I was very disappointed things did not work like I wanted," Grant told Sky Sports News. "Of course there were a lot of difficulties, the financial situation and other problems it was not easy. "But I know football is a game of results and it was very, very close to other results and to have a good season the difference was not such a big difference on the football side. "Even the last game we lost it was better, we created a lot of chances and we lost. "It is not an easy situation it is difficult but everyone has to look forward. "West Ham is a big club, a good club and if they do the right things they can still follow my vision."
Grant admits he would love to get back into management as soon as possible. "I like to be a manager, this is my job and I love it," concluded Grant.
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Hammers to deal in Gabbidon
Defender in talks over new contract
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: May 23, 2011 5:48pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham are offering Danny Gabbidon a new deal to keep him at Upton Park. Gabbidon has been one of West Ham's shining lights this season despite their relegation from the Premier League, making 27 appearances. The 31-year-old's current contract expires next month and it was feared Gabbidon could leave on a free transfer. A number of clubs were thought to be waiting in the wings to sign the versatile defender, but West Ham have moved to try and secure his future. Hammers officials have now opened talks with Gabbidon's representatives over a new deal as they look to keep the player for next season's assault on an immediate return to the Premier League.
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Hammers target Jones
Cardiff boss wanted for West Ham post
Last Updated: May 23, 2011 5:13pm
SSN
Sky Sports News understands West Ham have made Cardiff manager Dave Jones their leading target to succeed Avram Grant. The Hammers have been searching for a new manager since parting company with Grant in the immediate aftermath of their relegation to the Championship following their defeat at Wigan on 15th May.
And it has now emerged that Bluebirds boss Jones is the number one choice of co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan. The Upton Park outfit are targeting an immediate return to the top-flight and see the former Wolves, Southampton and Stockport boss as the ideal appointment. Kevin Keen was placed in caretaker charge of West Ham for the final game of the season with the Hammers suffering a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Martin O'Neill, Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren have also been mentioned as possible candidates, but Jones could now be ready to leave South Wales for East London. Jones has endured play-off heartache with Cardiff in the last two seasons, losing in the final at Wembley to Blackpool last summer and crashing out at the semi-final stage to Reading this time around.
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Collison: Parker can inspire West Ham to promotion - even if he's not here
Published 19:02 23/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Jack Collison is confident Scott Parker's exploits this season can inspire West Ham to bounce straight back into the Barclays Premier League, even though he will leave the club this summer. Parker will end his four-year association with the Hammers with the blessing of almost everyone associated with the east Londoners after his superhuman performances during their bid to avoid relegation. The Footballer of the Year's efforts were ultimately in vain but fellow midfielder Collison believes his team-mate's legacy will live on in himself and his fellow youngsters, who will be charged with gaining promotion from the npower Championship next season. "Obviously, they're big boots to fill," Collison said. "Scotty Parker's been unbelievable and it's been a pleasure for players like myself and other young players to watch him day in, day out in training. "The intensity he attacks everything with is quite amazing. "Obviously, a lot of clubs are going to be interested in Scotty now and I don't think any West Ham fan can say anything bad about him. "He's worked his heart out all season and, at times, he's just done unbelievable things. "I remember the Wigan game at home, he was ill all week, he turned up at the weekend, scored a goal and was absolutely unbelievable. He could hardly move on the Friday. "Things like that will always live with me and it's been a pleasure to play with Scotty." Collison added: "A lot of young players are relishing the opportunity. It's a massive club and people should be working hard to play for the Claret and Blue. "The people above are obviously going to have a busy summer and we've got to look to bounce back."
Parker's fellow England internationals Matthew Upson and Robert Green are also set to exit the club, which will be under new management next season. Caretaker boss Kevin Keen flopped in his audition for the job yesterday, with West Ham slumping to a 3-0 defeat against Sunderland. "I know as a group we're all fully behind Kevin Keen," said Collison. "He's come in this week and done a brilliant done, and hopefully he's in with a shout of getting the job full-time."
Collison, 22, had been hoping to perform a rescue act of his own after spending 14 months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury before returning for the final three games of the season. "I've felt like a fan and I know how it feels to support West Ham," he said. "Twelve months ago, I was sat at home at my mum's on a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine for eight hours a day. "So if you would've said 12 months further down the line, I'd have been back playing on the pitch in front of 30,000 fans, I'd have bitten your hand off."
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Carlton Cole set to lead Upton Park exodus as West Ham United consider cost of relegation from Premier League
By Jason Burt 11:20PM BST 23 May 2011
The Telegraph
The striker is being courted by several admirers and could be first to leave West Ham United following relegation, but the club are determined to hold on to promising youngsters as they continue the search for a new manager. Carlton Cole is expected to be the first big-name departure from West Ham United, with West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers all lining up bids for the England striker. West Ham are prepared to sell some of their established stars this summer, following relegation from the Premier League, as long as the deals are done early. Offers for Cole — who is available for £7 million — are expected within seven days. The club are also braced for Arsenal and Liverpool to make offers for Scott Parker, who could be sold for upwards of £8 million. Tottenham Hotspur are also keen to sign the midfielder but may not be prepared to meet West Ham's asking price. It is also believed that West Ham would rather not sell to Spurs given the difficult relations between the two clubs in recent times, not least over the Olympic Stadium and previous transfer deals.
West Ham have insisted that they would like Parker to stay but the chances are slim given the ambitions he still holds to play for England in the Euro 2012 finals. The third senior departure is expected to be goalkeeper Robert Green, who has just a year on his contract, and is thought to be available for £3 million. Aston Villa, who are expected to release Brad Friedel, have expressed an interest in Green but have not yet submitted a bid. Significant savings will also be made with high-earning loanees Robbie Keane, Wayne Bridge and Victor Obinna returning to their parent clubs and the likes of Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon out of contract. West Ham are trying to tie down a number of younger players, such as Jack Collison, to new contracts as they reshape their squad in the hope of bouncing straight back from the Championship.
It is believed striker Demba Ba and midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger have been asked to stay and will get improved deals. Discussions over who will succeed manager Avram Grant. As revealed by Telegraph Sport last week, it is understood that Dave Jones, whose future at Cardiff is likely to be decided tomorrow, is the leading candidate. He has long been admired by West Ham chairman David Sullivan.
Sources have suggested that up to 10 managers are being considered with Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce — who both held talks about taking over from Grant in January — the biggest names on the list. West Ham are waiting for O'Neill to resolve his dispute with Aston Villa, following his departure last August, which has gone to a Premier League tribunal. But hopes of attracting Paul Lambert are dimishing with the Scot set to sign a vastly improved deal with newly promoted Norwich City.
West Ham hope to announce their new manager within seven to 14 days, and are also considering former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, Watford manager Malky Mackay and Swansea City's Brendan Rodgers.
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Dave Jones is West Ham's No 1 choice to lead them out of the Championship
By SAMI MOKBEL
Last updated at 2:13 AM on 24th May 2011
Daily Mail
Cardiff manager Dave Jones is West Ham's top target to replace sacked Avram Grant. Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold intend to find a new boss by the end of the month, while Jones's future in Wales is uncertain after he again failed to lead the Bluebirds to top-flight promotion this season. The 54-year-old was due to hold talks with chief executive Gethin Jenkins and Cardiff's Malaysian ownerson Monday to discuss his future. West Ham would give him an immediate route back into management should he leave. Sullivan and Gold were monitoring Alex McLeish, but after relegated Birmingham decided to stick with the Scot, they decided Jones was the man to lead them back to the top flight next season. The club will have to sell several stars this summer to stay afloat after dropping into the Championship.
But midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger will be allowed to leave the Hammers for nothing thanks to a relegation release clause. Demba Ba reportedly had a similar clause put in his contract when he joined from Hoffenheim in January. Sunderland are keen on the Senegal striker.
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Cardiff's Jones not favourite for West Ham job
Harry Harris,
ESPNsoccernet
May 23, 2011
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is only an outsider for the West Ham manager's job, despite odds on him taking the Upton Park reins being slashed on Monday. The Hammers have been searching for a manger since sacking Avram Grant less than an hour after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed following last Sunday's defeat at Wigan. Jones, who led Cardiff to the 2008 FA Cup final and has guided them to the Championship play-offs for the past two seasons, was tipped as a leading candidate in some corners of the English press on Monday.
But ESPNsoccernet has been informed by a Hammers source that Martin O'Neill remains top of the club's shortlist, while Sam Allardyce and Chris Hughton are also being considered. The West Ham hierarchy have drawn up a list of ten potential managers and though Jones is on it, he is not among the leading contenders. "It is wrong that Dave Jones is the clear No. 1 favourite. No, that is not right," a West Ham insider told ESPNsoccernet. "We have a list of ten potential managers, and Dave Jones would be in the second group rather than the first. "There is no doubt, though, that he is highly thought of as he got Cardiff to the play-offs two years in a row, and got Wolves promoted."
The Hammers source added that the club were amused that Steve McClaren ruled himself out of the job last week when he had not even been approached.
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James Lawton: Even the West Ham gang of three showed more class than Abramovich
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
The Independent
The temptation to rage was limited. Abramovich had, after all, long ago stripped away any mystery over his intentions and still less his style. It says a lot about Chelsea that in a very close run thing they were finally outclassed by the ownership of West Ham United. For quite a time it was just too hard to call but on the last lap the Hammers had it in a photo-finish. The Gang of Three (co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan and the flagrant, sorry, fragrant, chief executive Karren Brady) had achieved the moral high ground over the Gang of One when they asked their hosts Wigan Athletic for a room in which to fire their manager Avram Grant.
Roman Abramovich ordered his minions just to go do it in a corridor of Goodison Park and that little bit more quickly demolish any faint speculation that Carlo Ancelotti, a football man of charm and distinction whose brief sojourn at Stamford Bridge was marked by the Double and second place in a league reputed to be the strongest in the world, might be given the extra season which in anywhere but a football madhouse would have been more or less automatic.
Of course that was a ridiculous notion implying the possibility of a sense of dignity and fair-mindedness and some basic understanding of how a rational, successful football club operates. Yet if the reaction has to be one of still more disgust for Abramovich's final act of contempt, a confirmation of the accumulating disrespect for Ancelotti highlighted already by the crude sacking of Ray Wilkins, the temptation to rage was somewhat limited. Abramovich had, after all, long ago stripped away any mystery over his intentions and still less his style, and to the extent that when Ancelotti was appointed two years ago it was reasonable to ask why a man of such background, achievement, and natural grace had been sought out for what had become ritual humiliation.
Abramovich, having dumped Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and failed to persuade Guus Hiddink to stay, could have got some malleable young front man at a fraction of the price. But then maybe Abramovich's most damaging flaw is not some monumental ignorance of the dynamics of winning but that essential contempt for anyone in football required to take his roubles.
If Mourinho returns, will he be given a measure of new respect? If Hiddink finally says yes, how long before he too is someone to be tossed aside? Porto's brilliant young coach, Andre Villas-Boas, is favourite in the book of one leading betting firm but how likely is it that he will be invited to outline his plans and then tick off each of his priorities? Now there are suggestions of a rapprochement between Mourinho and Abramovich – and that maybe Hiddink might relent in his determination to be his own man, which for so many years has been his most striking work credential.
It is at least good for the bookmakers drawing up formidable lists of candidates and the odds against them. Yet their meaning for all practical purposes could be rolled up into a ball and booted down the Fulham Road, one betting man drolly likening the Chelsea situation to the first call of the cuckoo in spring.
Everyone knows the plot with the possible exception of Roman Abramovich. The bookmakers take their bets. The agents rub their hands. It is what happens in the spring at the second richest football club in the world. The trouble is that it has hardly anything to do with football. Mostly, it was as we saw it at the dog day of Chelsea's season. It is about the devastating combination of too much money and too little class.
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