2014/15 Season Review - September
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's rollercoaster season was seen in microcosm in September, when the Hammers took part in a thrilling draw, pulled off a stunning win and suffered a frustrating defeat.
The transfer window closed with the Hammers having enjoyed a productive summer in the market, bringing in no fewer than eight new players – Aaron Cresswell, Diafra Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate, Enner Valencia, Diego Poyet, loanees Alex Song and Carl Jenkinson and deadline day signing Morgan Amalfitano.
All eight would play their part over the coming months, but it was strike partners Valencia and Sakho who made their mark first, scoring in a 2-2 draw at Hull City. The Ecuador forward thumped in an unstoppable 25-yarder to announce his arrival in English football before Sakho scored a late equaliser.
Next up came Liverpool, with Winston Reid, Sakho and Amalfitano scoring in a 3-1 home win, before the Senegal striker netted for a fourth straight start in a narrow 2-1 defeat at Manchester United. Indeed, had Kevin Nolan's late strike not been controversially ruled out for offside, the Hammers could have celebrated a famous comeback at Old Trafford.
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Pike's looking to maintain progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Alex Pike is thrilled to have put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract with the Club. The 18-year-old defender joins Djair Parfitt-Williams and Kyle Knoyle in signing deals that will run from 1 July and he is looking forward to continuing his progress. 2014/15 brought 20 appearances at U18 level and a further 13 for the U21s, so Pike is looking to make the most of the opportunity given to him by the Hammers. "I'm just really pleased to have signed the contract and am ready to go again next year now," he said. "Since I was young this is what I've strived to do so I'm pleased to have finally done it. "It's one step of many more that you need to get all the way to the first team, but it is one more done. "I've been here since an Under-11, so when you're here that long you have a sense of belonging to the Club. "I've grown through the Club with the coaches so it's been a good journey, and I was happy with how it went this season. I really pushed on."
From a results point of view, the 2014/15 season did not go to plan for the Hammers' Development Squad, but Pike believes the experience will stand them in good stead for this year. He added: "We've had quite a young team with the Under-21s this year, so it has been a bit of a struggle at times, especially against the older teams. "But we've had a bit of progression now and hopefully we can come back next year, push on and be one of the better sides."
Having seen Reece Burke make the step-up to the first team in recent weeks, the right back says his progress offers an example to follow.
He explained: "Looking at Reece Burke, it gives inspiration to us all because it shows that it's possible and that it's there for any of us who are willing to work hard for it. "I'd describe myself as a hard-working, attacking full back. I look up to a lot of players so it's hard to select one, but anyone who's played at the top level I look up to because they've done what's so hard [to do]."
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Ladies head for Hornchurch
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies have announced that they will be moving their home fixtures for the 2015/16 season to AFC Hornchurch's Bridge Avenue Stadium in Upminster.
The move, which is the first of many exciting announcements coming before the new FA Women's Premier League South campaign kicks-off in August, means that the Hammers are moving away from Aveley FC's Mill Field Stadium after one season with the Isthmian League Division One club.
Stephen Hunt, Joint-Chairman of West Ham United Ladies alongside his father John, said: "A month into our new role and we are delighted to make this announcement. Colin McBride at AFC Hornchurch has made us very welcome and we look forward to playing here and taking the club forward towards the Women's Super League."
AFC Hornchurch Chairman McBride added his excitement that the deal between the two clubs had been done, adding: "Over the past few seasons, the Essex FA have asked us to hold Ladies County Cup final games at our ground and I remember when West Ham played Colchester and Barking here.
"We enjoyed watching the girls play and when the opportunity came round to host a league game [against Queens Park Rangers] last season, we happily agreed to it. Now the deal has taken place, we are excited and want to embrace this opportunity and show our support to West Ham United through the Ladies team.
"We are looking forward to welcoming the Ladies down on a regular basis and will do everything in our power to make it a memorable day for everyone coming to games."
Ladies manager and West Ham legend Julian Dicks was also delighted that the first step towards enjoying a successful season has been put in place. He said: "I'm pleased that we've sealed the move to Hornchurch because it's a step forward in terms of facilities for players, staff and fans.
"We are working hard this summer to prepare for next season and it was important for us to find a nice, local ground that we can now call our new home."
West Ham Ladies have been working hard to get all their plans in place for a successful 2015/16 season, including arranging trial dates, preparing pre-match entertainment and increasing media coverage of the club.
Further announcements about the matchday experience will be announced via the Ladies official website and social media channels over the summer. One development will be the possibility of live music before the matches with a couple of local bands already interested in performing.
For more information, please visit the Ladies website here or follow them on Twitter @westhamladies.
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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com
Jason Burt is the Sunday Telegraph's football correspondent and a columnist for The Daily Telegraph
As the Club continue their search for a new manager to replace Sam Allardyce, who left the Boleyn Ground last month, whufc.com caught up with the Sunday Telegraph's Football Correspondent Jason Burt to get his thoughts on the leading candidates who are being tipped to take over the managerial hot-seat at Upton Park. With the process still ongoing, Burt gives his run-down on what the possible front-runners could bring to the job in east London.
Unai Emery – He is an intense and very organised coach. He has a good record of improving players and is obsessed with video planning. He is very similar to Andre Villas-Boas in that they both have very detailed analysis of the opposition and has a strict organisation.
A good example of his thorough organisation can be seen last season when Sevilla played Fiorentina in the Europa League and he put all his analysis on how they could stop Joaquin and it worked a treat. He even does his own editing and analysis himself.
The players will have a blood test every morning to check on their hydration and oxygen levels. He insists that the players all eat together as a group before they leave the training ground. The players are very loyal to him.
He has shown his ability by helping Sevilla win the Europa League two-years in a row and that is not an easy thing to do.
The only drawback could be the language barrier and his lack of English but if he works as hard as he does with the players, he will learn it very quickly.
West Ham are not going to get Pep Guardiola but they need someone who can make a difference. For me Emery is an interesting choice and is highly rated. He will be able to get the balance right of playing in the Europa League and then back to the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa – He is the godfather of modern football and plays amazing attacking football. He has never worked in England but is so highly rated. It would certainly be a rollercoaster ride if he came to England.
I can remember when his Athletic Bilbao side destroyed Manchester United back in 2012 and he demands such high fitness levels from his players.
It shows the ambition that West Ham have got that they want to go for someone who has such an attacking philosophy. It is a key element for the Club and they need to get back into that.
I would sum him up by saying he is so un-predictable as a coach and could even go in and win the league for West Ham.
Bielsa has never worked in England but is so highly rated. It would certainly be a rollercoaster ride if he came to England
Jason Burt
image: https://az719727.vo.msecnd.net/cmsstorage/whu/media/whu/news/2015/june/slavenbilic726.jpg?width=503&height=726&ext=.jpg
image: https://az719727.vo.msecnd.net/cmsstorage/whu/media/whu/news/2015/june/slavenbilic726.jpg?width=503&height=726&ext=.jpg
Slaven Bilic – He is an interesting character. He had a difficult time in Russia and it would be hard for any coach to go into Turkey and try and get the better of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
He did very well against the Premier League teams last season knocking Liverpool out of the Europa League and doing very well against Arsenal in the Champions League qualifiers last summer.
He has a lot of charisma and did very well with Croatia. The drawback would be his lack of silverware and can he be a top coach but he would certainly be popular with the fans and knows the club well from his playing days.
Michael Laudrup – He wants to come back to England and it is an advantage for him that he has managed in the Premier League before.
West Ham will want to move up the table as quickly as possible and establish themselves in the top ten especially as they have the demands of playing in the Europa League and if he gets the right tools I'm sure he could do that.
He has certainly got the profile and is a big figure in European football. He won a trophy with Swansea and would be willing to work under the structure that West Ham have. It remains to be seen if he can the Club to the next level.
When it comes to English coaches if this had been two-years ago they could have taken a chance with Eddie Howe. I think Garry Monk falls into a similar category. Swansea had an amazing season last year but the question will be if he can sustain that.
He knows the environment well at Swansea but can he do that at another club?
I think this is a fantastic opportunity for any new manager coming into the club and I genuinely believe that West Ham can break into the top six. The Olympic Stadium will be a game changer for them and they will be knocking hard on the door behind Liverpool and Tottenham.
You cannot under-estimate the attraction of playing in London and you can draw in a lot of people.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United
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Poyet's Uruguay slip to last minute defeat
WHUFC.com
Uruguay U20's conceded an injury-time goal as Diego Poyet's side lost 2-1 to their Mexican counterparts.
Mexico midfielder Kevin Gonzalez, who plies his trade for top flight outfit Queretaro, scored in the 93rd minute to seal a vital win for his country.
In a tense game, West Ham United's Diego Poyet came on in the 70th minute, replacing compatriot Alan Mendez.
Within seconds of taking to the field, Poyet's men found themselves a goal behind as Hirving Lozano's shot broke the deadlock.
Los Charruas looked to have rescued a point and maintain their unbeaten start to their campaign when Mathias Suarez equalised with seven minutes to go.
However, the South American's were put under pressure when defender Erick Cabaco received a second yellow card. The pressure soon took its toll as Gonzalez found the winner with seconds remaining.
The win for Mexico leaves Group D evenly poised as Serbia, Mali, Uruguay and Mexico are all on three points from the opening two games.
The third round of fixtures will be played on Saturday 6 June with Serbia playing Mexico and Mali facing Uruguay.
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The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
Long-serving physiotherapist Rob Jenkins returned to the Club's Chadwell Heath training ground this week to take part in a documentary covering the legendary Bobby Moore. The documentary will be screened in 2016 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of England winning the World Cup.
Having worked at the Club from 1966 to 1990, Jenkins had plenty of stories of Moore and other players that he worked with through the years. On his return to Chadwell, he spoke to www.whufc.com.
Rob, welcome back to Chadwell Heath, what is it like to come back?
RJ: "It's wonderful, absolutely amazing. When I came through the gates I sort of felt disorientated because it felt so familiar yet a lot of it has changed. My medical room is where the Manager's office is now. There's a lot more buildings here now, it just shows how football has come on with the all the developments in sports science, the analysts and media side of things. I recognise a few things but it has certainly changed a lot since the early 60s, that's for sure. When my dad first started working here, it was a cricket pavilion with a pitch and that was about it really."
Your Dad worked here before you, then he brought you into the club, there's a few instances throughout the club's history of family members working here?
RJ: "Yes, I think that's one of the reasons that makes this club special. Other clubs may also have families working there too but I think it's important that the club has a connection to the people from the community. West Ham has always had that. My Dad loved working for the club, as did I. It was fantastic working for the club you support. I was here for 25 years, when I started the Manager's office was full of smoke but that's all changed now. 25 years is a long time, certainly long enough! But I loved it here, it was an exciting time to be involved, especially as a West Ham fan."
You were at Upton Park recently to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Club winning the 1965 European Cup Winners Cup, it must have been nice to see some old faces?
RJ: "Oh yes, it was fantastic. It was great to be pitch side and for that achievement to be recognised. I thought the current fans gave us a great reception even though it was a long time ago. It doesn't feel like it was 50 years ago, that's for sure! As you get older the times flies, I'm 77 now. It was really nice to see some of the players. Eddie Bovington is still a good friend of mine, Ken Brown, Martin Peters, Alan Sealey's wife and his son were there so it was a wonderful occasion."
How often do you get the opportunity to come to watch the Hammers these days?
RJ: "I come about three or four times a year. I always love coming to watch the games, it's a feeling that's never left me."
We're just about to enter the final season at the Boleyn Ground, the stadium must hold many great memories?
RJ: "Yes definitely, my clinic used to be just outside the ground as well. The whole thing is going to come down. It's sad but I will go to the new Stadium in Stratford, we've got a good team so hopefully the atmosphere will be just as good and we can create some new memories to celebrate."
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Real quash Moyes link as another target falls
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Real Sociedad have confirmed West Ham managerial target David Moyes will remain at the club next season. Sociedad President Jokin Aperribay told a press conference this lunchtime (Wednesday) that Moyes, who was one of West Ham's top targets to replace the recently-departed Sam Allardyce, would be remaining at the Anoeta Stadium for the foreseeable future. "David Moyes has never spoken to us about this," he said. "If anything, we have heard these rumours from the media. He has never suggested the possibility to go back to England.
"We made an important decision last season in bringing in Moyes as coach of the first team. We don't see the need to make any drastic changes. "We don't think that the club needs to make any more changes within the technical department because in general, the results we have seen during the past six years have been positive."
West Ham have now seen their attempts to land a string of managers fall by the wayside, since parting company with Allardyce. In addition to Moyes, Frank De Boer, Jurgen Klopp, Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti have all rejected the opportunity to join West Ham.
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New deals for Hammers duo
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Alex Pike and Kyle Knoyle have followed Academy team mate Djair Parfitt-Williams by signing their first professional contracts with the club. 18-year-old Pike and England Under 18 Knoyle, both defenders by trade, put pen to paper this week - and in doing so, joined the likes of fellow Academy star Reece Burke who signed his first pro deal last October. Pike, who has been with West Ham since the age of 10, told whufc.com: "I'm really pleased to have signed the contract and am ready to go again next year now. Since I was young this is what I've strived to do, so I'm pleased to have finally done it. "I'd describe myself as a hard-working, attacking full back. I look up to a lot of players so it's hard to select one, but anyone who's played at the top level I look up to because they've done what's so hard [to do]."
And Knoyle added: "I'm delighted, it's something I've always dreamt of. It's an honour to get a contract at a Premier League club, I'm just looking to push on and make the next step to the first team. "I've been at the club for a while. Getting a professional contract was always the aim, ever since I arrived here. It's been a great five years so far and hopefully [I have] a good future too."
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Emery to stay in Spain with Seville, say reports
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Reports emanating from Spain this lunchtime are suggesting that Seville coach Unai Emery has opted to stay with his current club next season.
According to Radio Seville this afternoon (Wednesday), the 43-year-old head coach has rejected offers from Napoli and West Ham in order to remain with Los Rojiblancos, whom he has led to back-to-back Europa League titles.
RS insist that Emery remains unconvinced by the Napoli and West Ham offers - despite the major financial incentives - and will instead return to Seville in order to see out the final year of his contract.
Emery was in London yesterday for talks with Hammers chiefs and was expected to leave the capital later today, following discussions with co-owner David Sullivan.
Should the reports prove correct, that would leave Marcelo Bielsa and Slaven Bilic as the two remaining front-runners for the job vacated by Sam Allardyce last month.
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West Ham in talks with Unai Emery
Last Updated: 03/06/15 1:14pm
SSN
West Ham are to hold talks with Sevilla manager Unai Emery in the next 48 hours over their vacant manager's position, according to Sky sources. Emery has won plaudits and trophies in equal measure in recent seasons, his stock further enhanced after his side retained the Europa League with victory over Dnipro last week. The 43-year-old is also understood to be on Napoli's radar after the Serie A club lost Rafa Benitez to Real Madrid.
Last week, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan promised supporters there would be imminent signings and a 'big-name' manager. He said: "I am dedicating every waking minute to recruiting the best available manager to drive our club forwards. "It is a constantly changing landscape but we are being absolutely thorough in our search, by speaking to representatives of a number of managers and doing our own due diligence on each one. "Given that, I am not expecting us to make an appointment for at least a week as we must do everything we can to get this appointment right."
Ajax boss Frank de Boer, former Hammers stalwart Slaven Bilic and Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa are others to have been linked with the vacancy created by Sam Allardyce's departure after four years at the Boleyn Ground.
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THE RICHES THAT AWAIT US IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE
By Sean Whetstone 3 Jun 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
The amount available prize money in the UEFA Europa League is forecasted to be €381m in the 2015-2016 season up from €233m in the 2014-15 season. This represents increase of around 65%.
Last week Hammers Co-Chairman David Gold said "There is no money to be made from the Europa Cup unless you reach the 1/4 finals. PS. making money is not a sin. dg"
Well I beg to differ Mr Chairman, there has never been time to play in the Europa League from a financial point of view.
This amount will be distributed to participating clubs on a 60:40 basis between fixed amounts and market pool. Each of the 48 clubs that reach the group stage will receive a group stage basic fee of €2.4m (£1.72m).
On top of this, there will be performance bonuses: €360,000 every win and €120,000 every draw in the group stage. The winners of the groups will receive a qualification bonus of €500,000 the runners-up of €250,000.
The teams playing in the round of 32 will receive €500,000 each, the teams playing in the round of 16 will receive €750,000 each, the quarter-finalists €1m each and the semi-finalists €1.5m each. The UEFA Europa League winners will receive €6.5m and the runners-up €3.5m, inclusive of their ticketing revenue share.
There is a further €152.4m (£109.7m) in variable amounts called a (market pool) which is distributed according to the proportional value of each domestic television market represented by the teams taking part in the UEFA Europa League from the group stage onwards.
UEFA Europa League Prize Fund
Group Stage fee €2.4m (£1.72m)
Group Stage performance €360k (£259k) win / €120k (£86.4k) draw
Knock Out Qualification bonus €500k (£360k) winners/€250k (£180k) runners-up
Round of 32 €500k (£360k)
Round of 16 €750k (£540k)
Quarter-Finals €1m (£720k)
Semi-Finals €1.5m (£1.08m)
Final €6.5m (£4.68m) winners / €3.5m (£2.52m) runners-up
In the UEFA Europa League payments will be paid in the qualifying and play off rounds. These amount to: €200,000 (£144,000) in the first qualifying round, €210,000 (£151,200) in the second qualifying round, €220,00 (£158,400) in the third qualifying round and €230,000 (£165,600) in the play-offs (this latter, if not qualified to the UEFA Europa League group stage).
Add to this West Ham will take 100% of the gate money at all Home games in the Europa league while only having to give 5% in away allocation to visiting fans. Assuming West Ham manage to sellout all Europa home games at £20 per ticket that would add £700,000 per game in Ticket revenue. If by miracle we made it to the Europa league semi finals that would be an extra £7.7m in ticket sales at the Boleyn ground on it's own.
The biggest financial prize is winning the Europa League, in addition to 6.5 million Euros prize you also get a Champions League place. If you went on and managed to win the Champions League as well you can bag another £74m! Well we can all dream can't we!
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Ravel return rubbished
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Speculation that Ravel Morrison may be on his way to West Ham has been rubbished by the club. The story started circulating on the internet last night and immediately started gaining credibility on Twitter and elsewhere. Sam Allardyce's departure appears to have sparked the 'story' with the suggestion being that the Irons were exploring ways of perhaps getting him out of his Lazio contract now the 60 year old has gone. But ClaretandHugh was told today: "It's a watertight deal withLazio and there's no going back. Why would we? The decision was made and that's that. "It's a fun story because we all now Ravel had his problems with Sam but he's a Lazio player and as far as we are concerned will remain so."
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Sevilla chief: "Emery is meeting other clubs"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Sevilla president Jose Castro (right) has confirmed boss Unai Emery is considering his future amid keen interest from the Irons and Napoli. It's the first time there has been a formal announcement and Castro's words will acalm the nerves of Hammers supporters who believe the managerial position is becoming a serious problem. ClaretandHugh was told earlier today that the Irons board members have cleared their diaries to attend 'manager interviews' through until Monday with one source declaring: "This has to be brought to a head by next Friday."
Castro admitted on Sevilla TV: "I spoke to Emery on Sunday and he informed us of meetings with other clubs to evaluate all the options
He admitted there was an offer from Napoli. The manager is now in London where the Hammers will offer a highly lucrative deal and with the OS being dangled in front of him are hoping they have an edge. Castro is refusing to give up hope of keeping him saying: "I hope and believe Unai will stay with us, but he will do what he sees fit," he said. "I repeat, I hope he will stay with us and have faith that he will."
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Report: Emery on his way to Sullivan's mansion
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham are to hold talks with Sevilla manager Unai Emery in the next 48 hours over their vacant manager's position, according to Sky sources. Sky reported the story almost at the same time as ClaretandHugh had revealed the board had cleared their diaries to interview several candidates between now and Monday and that Emery was among those likely to arrive at David Sullivan's Essex mansion. Were the Hammers to get their man it would be a major coup followng his talks in Napoli simed at making him Rafa Benitez's successor following his appointment as Real Madrid boss. Emery has won plaudits and trophies in equal measure in recent seasons, his stock further enhanced after his side retained the Europa League with victory over Dnipro last week.
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Top Irons starlet pens pro deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Highly rated Academy prospect Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a professional contract. The forward has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at West Ham until June 2017. Speaking on the official site after committing his immediate future to the Hammers, Parfitt-Williams, who was the U18's top goal scorer this season with nine strikes, said: "Ever since I was young I've always wanted to be a professional footballer, so it feels really good. "It's nice to see my hard work recognised. I do a lot of extra training and I'm always watching football. For my hard work to come out on the pitch is excellent. "I've known the contract was coming for a while, so it's nice to finally sign it. It felt kind of weird." Parfitt-Williams' impressive performances culminated in his nomination for the prestigious Dylan Tombides Award at this year's Player Awards.
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Manager interviews sees Irons board clear diaries
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham's board has cancelled all appointments and cleared their diaries of of everything other than manager interviews through to next Monday! None of the three will be attending the important Premier League meeting over the next three days as they bid to bring the managerial chase to an end. The top three candidates – Rafa Benitez, David Moyes and Carlo Ancelotti – have now been firmly ruled out but a number of meetings are set up from now and into next week as the hunt goes on. And a top insider made it clear: "There is absolutely no anxiety or panic among anybody that we won't get a quality boss. "The board members have put themselves on 24 hour standby as they are dealing through agents, obviously, and things can happen at any moment."
Seville boss Unai Emery is among those who are expected to be involved in talks over the next few days but as reported on this site over recent days such as Frank de Boer and Michael Laudrup are all but out of the running.
ClaretandHugh has discovered that even ahead of the Real Madrid intervention, Benitez was looking for a larger budget than the Hammers had available and both Moyes and Ancelotti were looking for in excess of £50 million. And suggestions that as the 'big names' fell, Slaven Bilic would become the obvious choice, have also been knocked back with the news that several names are now waiting for their appointments in front of the board at David Sullivan's Essex mansion.
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West Ham Ladies move to Upminster
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
2West Ham United Ladies Football Club announced today that they will be moving their home fixtures for the 2015/16 season to AFC Hornchurch's Bridge Avenue Stadium in Upminster.
The ladies are moving away from Aveley FC's Mill Field Stadium after one season with the Isthmian League Division One club.
Stephen Hunt, Joint Chairman of West Ham United Ladies FC said: "A month into our new role and we are delighted to make this announcement. Colin McBride at AFC Hornchurch has made us very welcome and we look forward to playing here and taking the club forward entertainment and squad improvements, will draw a crowd towards the Women's Super League."
Ladies first team manager and former Hammer Julian Dicks said: "I'm pleased that we've sealed the move to Hornchurch because it's a step forward in terms of facilities for players, staff and fans. We are working hard this summer to prepare for next season and it was important for us to find a nice, local ground that we can now call our new home."
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Odds crash on Emery
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 3, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Bookmakers have been quick to shorten the odds on Unai Emery becoming the fifteen manager of West Ham. Two book makers are now offering odds as short as Evens as speculation spreads that Emery will fly into London today. Not all bookmakers see it the same way and it still possible to get 3/1 on Emery with book maker Coral. However, the Daily Star today claims Slaven Bilic is set for the West Ham job after all other targets have snubbed the club. Bilic remains the favourite but you can now get odds of Evens or better with Betfair offering the best price of 6/4 on the former Hammer becoming the next West Ham manager.
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West Ham United, a season in review: August
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st June 2015
By: Graeme Howlett
Throughout the football season, KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett pens a weekly column for Echo Newspapers. Join us as we take a look back at the highs and lows of the 2014/15 season, beginning with his August musings...
Column #1: 17 August 2014
The Premier League returned with a bang on Saturday and for West Ham, everything was going swimmingly for 92 minutes or so.
That was until Eric Dier's injury time winner for visitors Tottenham provided a thoroughly disappointing conclusion to an enthralling London derby, one in which both teams had fought hard for all three points. I would say this I guess, but neither side really deserved to lose.
Mark Noble, peerless from 12 yards hadn't missed a penalty for five years but chose this of all games to drag a spot kick wide. Tottenham, reduced to ten men having lost Kyle Naughton for the hand ball that led to Noble's penalty were only numerically disadvantaged for half-an-hour as James Collins' second yellow card for a clumsy challenge saw him take an early bath too.
West Ham had late chances to win it, yet neither Mark Noble nor a lively Stewart Downing could outwit Hugo Lloris when facing him one-one-one. Sam Allardyce's charges ultimately paid for their profligacy when Dier rounded goalkeeper Adrian deep into injury time to win the game for Spurs, whose fans celebrated as if they'd won the Cup Final; not unreasonably perhaps, given that they'd conceded bragging rights in all three meetings last season.
The home fans' response to Tottenham's winning goal - a magnificent, defiant chorus of 'Bubbles' that broke out simultaneously at both ends of the Boleyn Ground - alluded to endorsement of the team's overall performance. Social media told a different story later, but Allardyce's critics remain numerous and defeat in a London derby is unlikely to quell their dissatisfaction.
Although disappointment and frustration pervaded post-match discussion there were a number of positive signs for West Ham supporters to take heart from. The first competitive glimpse of a less-cautious tactical approach was evident and strong showings from debutants Cheikhou Kouyate, Aaron Cresswell and Enner Valencia bode well for the future.
With Mauro Zarate, Diego Poyet (both unused subs on Saturday) and striker Diafra Sakho having been added to the squad Allardyce now has an abundance of new options to choose from. Another, the injured Carl Jenkinson, will expand the pack further and West Ham should be pleased with their transfer business so far this summer.
However it's getting results that ultimately matters and Allardyce knows his team will have to improve - in the attacking third, at least - at managerless Crystal Palace next weekend.
Column #2: 24 August 2014
Despite falling to defeat against Tottenham at the Boleyn last weekend there were signs that Sam Allardyce's latest West Ham squad might just be able to achieve the change of style and philosophy his employers so publicly insisted upon during pre-season.
A greater willingness to get the ball on the deck and play through midfield - rather than mostly cutting out the middle man - was clearly evident as the Hammers racked up a total of 18 shots on goal (including Mark Noble's missed penalty) without managing to score.
As a result, hopes were high for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace - a club currently rudderless following the recent departure of Tony Pullis. But few - if any - Hammers fans would have been expecting to behold the Eagles being put to the sword in such a comprehensive manner.
West Ham, inspired by the movement and guile of debutant Mauro Zarate in the position vacated by the injured Kevin Nolan were rampant and the 3-1 win that gave them their first Premier League points of the season was fully merited. The Argentine's goal - a 20-yard volley executed with stunning precision - was a thing of beauty and gave United a deserved lead.
Even better from a team perspective was West Ham's second, that arrived minutes later. A wonderful team move culminated with Stewart Downing cutting inside from the right flank before unleashing a powerful, inch-perfect drive that left Palace's Julián Speroni clutching at air.
James Tomkins should have increased West Ham's lead after the restart but his header crashed off the underside of the crossbar. Former Hammer Marouane Chamakh scored with a rasping strike to reduce the deficit to one but Carlton Cole sealed the win on the hour mark with a close range effort.
Speaking to the press after the game, Big Sam denied - possibly disingenuously - having made any major alterations to his tactical approach. Regardless, the first two games of the season have produced a West Ham team looking more creative and forward-thinking than has been the case for some considerable time.
And whether it be the result of tactical fine-tuning, the introduction of Teddy Sheringham as (part time) attacking coach or simply that West Ham have better players - such as the outstanding Cheikou Kouyate - in their squad this season, few fans are complaining at the team's encouraging start.
Column #3: 31 August 2014
What a difference a week makes in football.
This time last week, Sam Allardyce and his players were basking in praise following a magnificent performance at Crystal Palace.
Yet within the space of only seven days, defeats to Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup and an insipid display against Southampton on Saturday - both at home - have Big Sam's detractors sharpening their knives once again.
It's little secret that Allardyce's relationship with a subset of the club's fanbase is irreparable - and has been since the big man cupped his ear in the direction of the stands after booing marred the 2-1 win against Hull last season.
However it was fairly contemptible that a few hundred fans decided to respond to yesterday's poor showing - the first of the new season - with an unrepeatable chorus suggesting the Board should replace the manager with immediate effect.
And it was all going so well, too...
Despite the final score, West Ham had a reasonably productive first half. Mark Noble's deflected effort gave United a deserved lead but Morgan Schneiderlin's equaliser on the stroke of half time proved to be the game's turning point. The second half was a different story entirely, with Saints enjoying near total control.
Schneiderlin's and Southampton's second, from a corner - incorrectly awarded by the consistently wayward Mike Dean - was the result of schoolboy defending from the Hammers who were more concerned with arguing the decision than defending the set-play.
The third, courtesy of man mountain Graziano Pelle, was inevitable and merely served to rub salt into West Ham's wounds.
Allardyce, speaking after the game cited a lack of leadership on the field as a major factor in defeat. It's difficult not to sympathise with that view, as it's unlikely West Ham would have been so badly organised for the first two goals - both from set-pieces - had the injured Kevin Nolan been present.
Still, it wasn't all bad. The club's eighth summer signing, Alex Song, was introduced to the Boleyn Ground ahead of the match and a season-long loan from Barcelona. Even though he failed to secure a first team spot at Nou Camp following his £15m move from Arsenal in 2012, much is expected of the Cameroon international.
And even though Monday night's transfer deadline is rapidly approaching, don't rule out West Ham doing further business - either in, out, or both!
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West Ham United, a season in review: September
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
By: Graeme Howlett
Throughout the football season, KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett pens a weekly column for Echo Newspapers. Join us as we take a look back at the highs and lows of the 2014/15 season, with our eyes today on September 2014...
Column #4: 14 September 2014
There are likely be a host of new faces on show at the KC Stadium tonight when West Ham tackle Hull City in their second away fixture of the new Premier League season.
Whilst Steve Bruce's Tigers - who spent close to £40million in the summer - will be looking to give home debuts to the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez and Michael Dawson, West Ham could give first starts to Alex Song (on loan from Barcelona) and Morgan Amalfitano (£800,000 from Marseille) - both of whom signed in the final few days of the transfer window.
However the new signing likely to command most attention from pundits and fans alike will be Hull's Mo Diame, a £3.5million transfer deadline day mover - from West Ham United.
No sooner had Diame arrived on Humberside than the sideswipes at former manager Sam Allardyce began. "I was played out of position," moaned the central midfielder, whose four most significant goals for West Ham - against Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Sampdoria - came from a wide position.
Allardyce hit back at the Senegal international during his pre-match press conference, accusing Diame of failing to recreate the form he exhibited during his first season at the club. It's a view that many fans, frustrated by Diame's penchant for making mazy runs that came to nothing, will sympathise with.
Meanwhile, the recent international break has afforded Big Sam additional time in which to rehabilitate some previously unavailable or less-than-fully-fit players.
Although it's still too early for the likes of Carl Jenkinson and Matt Jarvis, others such as James Tomkins, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia should all be available for selection - as is James Collins, back from suspension following his red card against Tottenham on the opening day of the season.
A win for West Ham at Hull would catapult the Hammers back into the upper half of the table, whilst defeat would leave them just a point above the bottom three - not exactly ideal preparation for the visit of Liverpool next week and trip to Manchester United seven days later.
Finally, whilst Allardyce has refused to either confirm or deny reports, record signing Andy Carroll (remember him!?) could be back in action as soon as next month - a major fillip for the manager, his squad and the team's Premier League prospects.
Column #5: 21 September 2014
A West Ham win against Liverpool is a rare and precious thing. Since the turn of the century, United have recorded just three victories from 24 meeting with their Merseyside rivals - which is what made Saturday's 3-1 success that little bit sweeter.
Sam Allardyce's new look West Ham found themselves two ahead before Liverpool had even mounted a notable attack, such was the Irons' dominance in the opening stages of the game. With Brendan Rodgers' team perhaps feeling the effects of having played in the Champions League just 72 hours earlier, Big Sam instructed his players to hold a high line and attack from the front.
It was a policy that paid off handsomely.
Winston Reid's first goal in a year - scored with precisely 69 seconds on the clock - got the Hammers off to a flyer. Diafra Sakho's seventh-minute lob over Simon Mignolet - his third goal since becoming a Hammer last month - was stunning in both execution and accuracy, and gave West Ham what ultimately proved to be an unassailable lead.
Although Raheem Sterling gave Liverpool hope when halving the deficit midway through the opening period it was another new signing, Morgan Amalfitano, who wrapped up all three points for the happy Hammers with a deft touch just two minutes from the end of normal time.
Key to the win was Allardyce's decision to play Stewart Downing in a more central role, a position in which he has excelled in recent weeks. It was the former England man's free kick which led to the opening goal and his slide-rule pass that put Amalfitano in for the third.
However his most important contribution was to nullify the threat of Steven Gerrard.
Sitting in front of the back four, as is his want in recent months, Liverpool's talisman and main creative force was effectively removed from the game by Downing, who harried and chased him down whenever in possession.
That ploy rendered Liverpool, sans the Sturridge and Suarez combination which terrorised Premier League defences last season, effectively impotent and led to a much-needed, first home win of the season - one which lifted West Ham into eighth spot.
A trip to Old Trafford beckons next weekend when the Hammers will face a less-than-fully-functional Manchester United. West Ham's record against the Mancunians is similar to that versus Liverpool; what odds Big Sam's boys upsetting the applecart once again?
Column #6: 28 September 2014
West Ham's unbeaten away record came to a somewhat controversial end at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon when Kevin Nolan was left furious after what would have been an 89th minute equaliser was ruled out for offside.
TV replays indicated that the Hammers captain was no more than a gnat's wing ahead of the last defender and 24 hours on, fans were still arguing whether it was or wasn't onside - which suggests that the assistant referee, who made the call, either possesses super-human eyesight or simply decided to rule in favour of the more high-profile club when it came to the crunch.
Of course, that's no surprise - there are a litany of examples where Hammers fans have been left feeling hard done by as the result of a referee's ruling whilst playing your Man Us and Liverpools over the years. However that West Ham are even in a position to cite a bad call as reason for defeat, at a venue they rarely fare well at, is testament to the rapid progress they have been making in recent weeks.
Let's not forget that the Hammers team that penned Man U into their own half for much of the second half of Saturday's 2-1 defeat was missing its entire engine room, namely Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble (both injured). Diego Poyet, 19, played with a maturity beyond his years as replacement but Kouyate has been immense and was missed.
Although things started badly when Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie scored inside the opening 25 minutes, Diafra Sakho's fourth goal in as many starts for West Ham gave Sam Allardyce's team renewed hope. But for the linesman, they would have been enjoying a well-earned point instead of the traditional defeat on Sir Matt Busby Way.
Still, most of the 2,000-odd Hammers fans who made the long and arduous journey back down the M6 on Saturday night were content with their team's performance. Rare indeed are the occasions when West Ham dominate Man Utd; rarer still, at Old Trafford.
Having taken a respectable haul of three points from six in the two games against Liverpool and the Red Devils, it's newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers who provide West Ham's next test this weekend at the Boleyn. It's one from which the fans will be expecting all three points - and perhaps rightly so, given the team's encouraging start to the campaign.
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Liverpool legend: Why Bilic will get more leeway than Sam Allardyce
HITC
Lewis Doe
Liverpool legend Ray Houghton has suggested how Slaven Bilic's West Ham past will work in his favour. Liverpool legend Ray Houghton told talkSPORT why he feels Slaven Bilic will be treated differently by West Ham fans if he's confirmed as the manager of the East London club. Bilic is one of the candidates to replace old manager Sam Allardyce and Houghton has suggested it would be a popular move with West Ham's supporters. "It looks like it's going to be Slaven Bilic at the moment – As a former player coming in at West Ham he'll get a bit more leeway from the fans and they'll like what he did in Croatia and over in Turkey as well so he'll be a good addition to the club," said Houghton. Although Bilic would be a popular option, he's going to be under real pressure next season ahead of the club's move to the Olympic Stadium. The pressure which was placed on Sam Allardyce over the second half of last season showed him quickly opinions can change of a manager.
West Ham looked as though they would be competing for the top eight based on performances over the first half of the season, but frustrations mounted as the displays got more and more negative. Bilic does have a different style to Allardyce and he needs to try and whip up some excitement to get even more fans on his side if he is confirmed in the position. It will be interesting to see how he's perceived if West Ham don't register a win for a month and hopefully Houghton's prediction that fans will lay off of the criticism initially will ring true.
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Why Unai Emery is a gamble West Ham must be willing to take
Julian Shea for Metro.co.uk
Wednesday 3 Jun 2015 3:04 pm
If first impressions count, then West Ham fans must hope Unai Emery is a man with a liking for lavish décor.
Reports that the coach who has just guided Sevilla to a second consecutive Europa League triumph is on his way to talk to the Irons – and that those discussions will take place in the understated grandeur of co-owner David Sullivan's Essex mansion – would suggest the search for Sam Allardyce's replacement is progressing at some pace.
Since taking over in January 2010, Sullivan and co-owner David Gold have a patchy record on managerial appointments. Replacing the likeable but ineffective Gianfranco Zola with the disastrous Avram Grant made an already bad situation worse, before the appointment of Allardyce – big on grit but low on finesse – dug the club out of a hole and restored stability, but at the cost of fan satisfaction.
So far, so meh. The prospect of removal vans outside the Boleyn in 12 months' time, packing things up for the move to the Olympic Stadium, means that the next appointment is the most crucial in the club's history. Get it right, and the team could fly into their new home sky-high on confidence and momentum; get it wrong, and the club's new era could get off to the most embarrassing of starts. So that is why the fact that a manager like Emery is even on their radar is a sign that they are raising the sights of everyone at the club.
The 43-year-old may not speak much English, but his track record does plenty of talking, and his age and the consistency of his performance suggests that the best may be yet to come. Like Bournemouth's Eddie Howe, an injury-curtailed playing career saw him move into management early, and he excelled on limited resources. Then, stepping up to Valencia, he got them back into the Champions League and steadied an uneven ship, before a short-lived and ill-fated sojourn in Russian football.
Back home in Spain at Sevilla, two consecutive fifth place La Liga finishes, each accompanied by the Europa League title added to his reputation. Clearly, this is someone destined for a bigger stage. But whose?
The fact the Irons appear have seen off interest from Napoli for Emery is another hint at his class. The Neapolitans wanted someone to replace Rafael Benitez – a man whose success include the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, Italian Cup and La Liga twice – and Emery was on their shortlist. And for believers in the adage 'judge a man by the company he keeps', so was Jurgen Klopp.
Every appointment is a gamble, and with West Ham facing the biggest period of upheaval in club history, this one is even bigger than most. But the fact the Irons are even at the table for him is a sign of positive thinking – and if he's here to talk, he's keen too. In the absence of a stand-out, box-ticking alternative, West Ham should seize their chance – go for Emery.
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West Ham prepared to offer Unai Emery more than Napoli as they hold talks with Sevilla boss
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 03 June 2015 Updated: 12:09, 03 June 2015
West Ham were due to hold talks with Unai Emery today but Napoli remain the favourites to land the Sevilla manager. The 43-year-old Spaniard has become hot property after guiding Sevilla to successive Europa League triumphs and there were reports today that AC Milan are also interested in appointing him. West Ham, who expect to name their new manager in the next 10 days, are prepared to beat Napoli's financial offer for Emery if they make a firm bid. Sevilla president Jose Castro confirmed the Italian club's interest, saying: "Emery has an offer from Napoli. We hope he'll stay with us. I spoke to him on Sunday and he informed us of meetings with other clubs."
Slaven Bilic, however, remains the favourite ahead of Emery. Bilic has left Turkish club Besiktas and is keen to manage in the Premier League. He knows West Ham from his time as a player there and had success as manager of the Croatian national team. The other main option is Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.
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Daily WHUFC News - 3rd June 2015
2014/15 Season Review - August
WHUFC.com
After completing an action-packed pre-season schedule, West Ham United went into the 2014/15 season in confident mood and produced a fine opening-day Barclays Premier League display against Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground, only for Mark Noble's missed penalty and Eric Dier's last-gasp goal to condemn the hosts to a harsh defeat.
The game also marked competitive debuts for summer signings Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate and substitute Enner Valencia.
West Ham bounced back to form with a fantastic 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace, with another new boy, Mauro Zarate, and Stewart Downing scoring beauties and Carlton Cole completing the Selhurst Park success with his first goal of the campaign.
Yet another new boy, Senegal striker Diafra Sakho, then marked his first start with a wonderful header against Sheffield United, only for the Blades to knock the home side out of the Capital One Cup on penalties following Winston Reid's unfortunate own-goal.
The opening month of the campaign ended with another disappointing defeat at the Boleyn Ground, this time in the Barclays Premier League at the hands of Ronald Koeman's high-flying Southampton.
Off the pitch, West Ham continued to bolster their ranks with the captures of Alex Song on a season-long loan from Barcelona and France international Morgan Amalfitano from Marseille on a permanent basis.
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Knoyle delighted to sign professional contract
WHUFc.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that England U18 international Kyle Knoyle has signed a new contract at the Club. The right-back, who joined the Academy as a 13-year-old, capped off an excellent season by putting pen to paper on a deal that keeps him in east London until June 2017. Describing the moment he turned professional, the talented defender said: "I'm delighted. It's something I've always dreamt of as a kid. It's an honour to get a contract at a Premier League club, I'm just looking to push on and make the next step to the first team. "I've been at the club for a while. Getting a professional contract was always the aim, ever since I arrived here. It's been a great five years so far and hopefully a good future too. "It's definitely one of my career highlights. I was delighted when I got my scholarship but this is a step up."
Knoyle has impressed for both the U18s and U21s, his pace and willingness to get forward proving a real asset, making a total of 18 appearances.
Midway through the season, Knoyle was side-lined through injury yet having overcome the setback, he made the step up from the Academy to the Development Squad: "I feel like I've coped with the step up from U18s to U21s very well. I did it the previous season which made the step up this season a lot easier.
"The injury was probably my lowest point in my career and I'm trying to get back to the level I was at before it. I've felt like I've put in a lot of good performances recently so hopefully I can keep that going into next season.
"I would describe myself as a quick right-back who likes to get up and down the pitch. I'd like to think I'm good at one-on-ones, overlapping and crossing. A modern day full-back really."
In a positive couple of weeks for the Academy, the 18-year-old was quick to cite the impact Reece Burke has made since his run in the first team as well as fellow Dev Squad teammate Djair Parfitt-Williams signing a new contract.
Knoyle, who has played alongside Burke for several years as part of a defensive back four said: "I'm very close to Reece. He lives nearby and to see a teammate do so well drives me to try and do well. I'm delighted for him while trying to get to his level.
"There's a good atmosphere around the Academy, 100%. It's nice to see young players getting opportunities and hopefully I'll get one soon."
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Betway make DT38 Foundation donation
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that principal sponsors, Betway will be making a donation to the DT38 Foundation.
Hammers fans will already be familiar with the DT38 Foundation in memory of Academy starlet Dylan Tombides. Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20.
The donation comes after West Ham United players Joey O'Brien, James Collins and Kevin Nolan took to the stage at The O2 Arena in a unique darting challenge with Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall.
Unfortunately, the Hammers stars proved to be no match for Tindall in the first ever #RugbyvFootball head-to-head leg of 501, which took place ahead of the Betway Premier League finals.
Betway ambassador and former England captain Tindall lived up to his billing as Betway's 1/6 red hot favourite, sealing victory with a double 15, which he hit with his first attempt.
Underdog O'Brien, who was a 3/1 shot ahead of the match and nicknamed 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' by fans ahead of the showdown, represented the football world alongside pals Nolan and Collins.
O'Brien assembled his team after beating his West Ham United teammates Carlton Cole, James Collins, Carl Jenkinson, Kevin Nolan, Diego Poyet, Winston Reid and Alex Song in Betway's #HammersAtTheArrers tungsten tournament at the club's training ground.
"It might not have been the result the football lads were after but it was a great experience to take on Mike Tindall alongside Kev and Ginge at the darts," said O'Brien. "I'll wait for the stick to die down first, but 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' will live to fight another day."
Betway's Alan Alger said he hopes it will not be the last time West Ham's stars are seen on the oche.
He said: "Congratulations to Mike 'The Tornado' Tindall who affirmed his status as hot favourite. Who knows, perhaps Joey 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' O'Brien and his teammates will be calling for a rematch? The whole event was great fun on a thrilling night of darts at the O2 and we were pleased that we could donate money to a worthy cause in the process."
You can watch full coverage of the #RugbyvFootball challenge here.
For more information on the DT38 Foundation, click here.
Betway will also make a donation to The Matthew Hampson Foundation, a charity close to Mike Tindall, provides support to young people seriously injured through sport.
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From the Academy - Tony Carr
WHUFC.com
Former Director of the West Ham United Academy and current Club Ambassador Tony Carr pays tribute to one of the best Academy graduates of all time.
Hello,
As I'm sure you will have noticed, Rio Ferdinand, one of the greatest defenders of the Premier League era and former West Ham United Academy graduate, recently decided to retire.
To get a mention in Rio's retirement statement was very humbling. In my opinion, he is without doubt, one of the best Premier League defenders and at his peak, arguably the best. Simply put, he's one of the best English defenders there's ever been.
He's been a great servant to the game, to all the clubs he's played for and of course his country.
For me to have been able to play small role in his journey is something I am immensely proud of. But Rio deserves full credit because he never once lost that desire to improve, to keep on learning and test himself week after week.
In a career spanning 20 years, he made over 700 club appearances as well as winning 81 caps for England. As for trophies, he won a staggering six Premier Leagues title not to mention the FA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cup finals among other accolades.
Having come through the West Ham United Academy he has long been a superb example to the young talented players we've got coming through now. Not only for our young defenders but for everyone dreaming of making their way in football because of the way he approached the game. He is a model example.
We ask all out young players 'Are you as good as Rio Ferdinand was when he was your age?' because that is the level of player we want to produce. If the answer is no, then we need to look at what areas need to be strengthened and make those improvements.
Looking back, Rio actually started out as an attacker before moving into midfield and finally back into defence. He was initially a bit reluctant to play at the back but he soon got used to the idea and adapted quickly.
He always had good technique and his ability to read the game was superb. He wasn't always the tallest player, he was quite gangly and he went through a big growth spurt at 14 or 15 and actually lost a bit of his coordination. I've read that he actually had doubts whether he would become a player at all.
Technically he was always good, even before he came here he had that ability that the best players have.
You would have to say, looking through West Ham's history, Rio is up there with the best defenders the club has ever produced. I would include Rio in the same bracket as Bobby Moore.
There was never a light bulb moment with Rio when I thought 'Yes, he's got what it takes make it to the top.' But you noticed when he was 16 playing for the U18s he was one of the best players, so then you knew he had got something special.
The then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp did not take much convincing. Once he'd seen him play in training aged seventeen or so, Harry was convinced from the word go that he would be a good player, and so it proved.
Since the tragic death of his wife Rebecca, I know he received thousands and thousands of messages of support from across the world of football. That alone goes some way to show how big a footballer he was and how well respected he is, not just as player but also as a man.
On another note, I recently took part in a documentary about the life of the late, great Bobby Moore which will be released next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of England winning the World Cup and in particular looking at Bobby and his legacy.
It was great to be able to share those memories of a great, great man. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished piece and I'm sure it'll be a fitting tribute to him.
Best wishes,
Tony
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Back to Black
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's former assistant Neil McDonald has been confirmed as the new manager of League One club Blackpool.
The 49-year-old was unveiled as the Tangerines' new boss tonight, a fortnight after KUMB.com exclusively revealed the two parties were in talks.
The Bloomfield Road position was previously held by Lee Clark, who resigned last month following Blackpool's relegation from the Championship with a record low tally of 26 points from 46 games.
McDonald, who was assistant to Allardyce at the Boleyn Ground for four years has been searching for a managerial position since last summer, although he rejected the opportunity to join League Two side Carlisle back in January.
Since Allardyce left the club, three of his key employees have now found positions in management elsewhere.
In addition to McDonald at Blackpool, Teddy Sheringham was recently confirmed as manager of League Two Stevenage whilst former Hammers first team coach Ian Hendon is the new number one at League One Leyton Orient.
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Goalkeeper extends Boleyn stay
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Raphael Spiegel has extended his stay at West Ham by a further 12 months.
The 22-year-old Swiss goalkeeper joined West Ham in July 2012 on a three-year contract with a further one-year option - which the club have confirmed has now been triggered, extending the youngster's stay at the Boleyn Ground until next summer.
The 6'5" stopper is yet to make a single first team appearance for the Hammers and finds himself third in the pecking order once again, following the arrival of Darren Randolph from Birmingham on a free transfer who replaces the outgoing Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Since joining West Ham from former Swiss giants Grasshoppers, Spiegel has spent time on loan with Crawley, Barnet and, most recently, Carlisle, for whom he made two appearances back in February.
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Blackpool appoint Neil McDonald as their new manager
Last Updated: 02/06/15 8:42pm
SSN
Neil McDonald has been appointed as the new manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling deal. McDonald has spent the last four years at West Ham working as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce. The 49-year-old succeeds Lee Clark who resigned in the wake of the club's relegation to League One earlier this month. Clark took charge of Blackpool on October 30 with the club bottom of the Championship table but managed to secure only three wins in 33 games. McDonald, who also worked with Allardyce at Blackburn and Bolton, previously spent a year as Carlisle manager and saved Ostersunds FK from relegation during the five weeks he was in charge of the Swedish club. "This is a great opportunity for me, it's a massive football club in my opinion and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," McDonald told the official website. "It's a challenge that's going to be difficult - wherever you go it's always difficult - but it's a challenge that I'm really up for and really excited about. "I've got to try and put my stamp on the football club and get it back to where it was. I've got to try and stabilise it first of all after what happened last year with relegation and change people's minds to try and get the confidence back and push the club on to pastures new."
Blackpool's head of youth coaching Richie Kyle has been promoted to the role of first-team coach, while Paul Stephenson and Paul Crichton have left the back-room team.
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Irons fans get Europa Cup home tickets boost
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
The Irons will only have to give five per cent of their home seats to visiting fans in the Europa Cup tournament as opposed to the 15 per cent for domestic Cup clashes.
Uefa rules allow for five per cent of the tickets for visiting fans which equates to just 1,750 seats, leaving around 33,000 for Hammers fans wanting the experience European competition.
Europa league regulations say: 'All clubs in the competition must make at least 5% of the total capacity of their stadium available exclusively to visiting supporters, in a segregated, safe area. In addition, visiting clubs are entitled to purchase up to 200 top-category tickets for their VIP supporters'
In addition UEFA states "The official UEFA representatives and at least 20 representatives of the visiting club and its association must be provided with top-category seats (and associated hospitality) in the VIP sector."
Another difference between English Cup competitions and the Europa League is the home club gets to keep 100% of the ticket revenue unlike the FA Cup where the club keeps 45%.
If West Ham were to sell out 33,000 tickets at £20 each that would raise £660,000 per home game. We could well be involved in four home matches in the qualifying and play rounds before reaching the group stages bringing a potential and welcome £2.64m of ticket revenue in addition to any prize money we might earn from the TV rights distribution.
Unfortunately the away allocation rule works means of course that the top seeded West Ham – should they be drawn against a small team like Air UK Broughton FC in Wales – would see us receive a dismal ticket allocation.
Air UK's Hollingsworth Group stadium in Broughton is famous for its retractable floodlights because it is built on an airfield. It has a stadium capacity of just 1,600. A five per cent allocation would allow just 80 Hammers fans to travel to Wales to watch the match. UEFA requires a category 2 stadium to host qualifying stages the minimum requirement of which is a 1,500 seater stadium.
A West Ham insider said: "I think we need to see the draw first. We'll look at each game on case by case basis"
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Burke joins Allardyce's agent – Curtis!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Controversial agent Mark Curtis has signed young Reece Burke to his stable of players. The 18 year old is understood to have agreed to join former manager Sam Allardyce's representative towards the end of last season.
Curtis last found himself in the news, when it was reported that attempts had been made failed attempts to woo Ravel Morrison into his stable which allegedly led to bust-up between the player and former boss Allardyce.
Curtis has now added Burke to a list of players which is currently understood to include James Tomkins, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O'Brien, Kevin Nolan and Adrian, although there are reports this morning that Andy Carroll has left him.
Various sources report the pair have parted company over an alleged disagreement and the striker is now looking for a new representative which would appear to kill all stories stone dead of a deal to take the striker back to Newcastle.
However, a club source confirmed to ClaretandHugh exclusively that Burke had joined Curtis saying: "Yes, that's the case."
The youngster was previously represented by Stuart Richardson of Skill Equal which also looks after Mark Noble and who signed Reece to his professional contract with the club in October 2014.
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Song back at Barcelona
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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Alex Song posted a picture of himself with fellow Barcelona team mate Neymar on Monday proving he has been reunited with parent Spanish club after the end of a season long loan with West Ham. Neymar is currently preparing for Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus but took time out to hang out with Song.
The Barcelona squad will soon travel to Berlin for this Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus.
Barcelona lifted the Copa del Rey after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao following a 3-1 victory last Saturday.
Song has been recently linked with a return to the Premier League with Manchester City because he is classed as a home grown player. James Milner looks set to leave the Etihad after seeing his contract expire and he could be followed out of the club by fellow Englishmen Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards.
That leaves City needing homegrown reinforcements and Song qualifies having joined Arsenal from Bastia at 17 and played three seasons at the club before his 21st birthday.
The return of Alex Song to Barcelona frees up another £75,000 per week off the Hammers wage bill.
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Genk deal on again
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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West Ham have signed Kara Mbodj from Genk, according to The Sun.
The tabloid claim the Hammers paid £4 million to the Belgian club for the services of the 25-year-old, who can play as a defender, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
West Ham tried to sign the Senegal international in the January transfer window but failed, we reported then that the Irons would try again in the summer. http://www.claretandhugh.info/kara-mbodj-still-a-target/
Until recently Genk was managed by Alex McLeish, who David Sullivan and David Gold used to employ at Birmingham City.
If the news is true, Mbodj will become West Ham's second signing of the summer following the acquisition of goalkeeper Darren Randolph on a free transfer from Birmingham City.
However, with the club manager-less at the moment, it remains to be seen whether our red top friends have got this one right.
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Emery heads for UK with future on hold
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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Seville boss Unai Emery's has put his future on hold until after a reported trip to England this week where he is expected to meet David Sullivan and David Gold. The Europa League winning boss was yesterday involved in talks with Napoli and is now believed to be on his way for talks with the Irons co-owners. Madrid newspaper Deportivo El Decano reports that according to its sources a planned meeting is on hold at Seville with the manager due to visit the UK. The newspaper adds: "Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham seek him along of course with the Naples club . "
ClaretandHugh reported on Sunday that the Irons were awaiting a response from the Seville boss when we were told there was a three way fight going on for his signature after reports that it was a tug of war between Napoli and ourselves. 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.
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Carroll dumps Curtis
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
According to Matt Law in the Telegraph, Andy Carroll 'has split from his agent Mark Curtis over a dispute between the pair'
Carroll owns a racing horse called Ninety Minutes in partnership with Mark Curtis as well as his pal Kevin Nolan. The horse finished in eighth place out of nine when it raced at Newmarket last Saturday.
Curtis remains the agent for Sam Allardyce, Kevin Nolan, James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien and Matt Jarvis as far as we are aware. He was also involved in the Adrian deal and recently added Reece Burke to his list of clients. Former Hammers Jussi Jaaskalainen, Jack Collins and Guy Demel were also in his stable.
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Irons deny Genk midfielder signing
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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It seems morning reports in The Sun that the Irons have signed Genk midfielder Kara Mbodj are well wide of the mark – if indeed there is a mark at all.
The tabloid claim the Hammers paid £4 million to the Belgian club for the services of the 25-year-old, who can play as a defender, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
When recording the story this afternoon we wrote: "With the Irons manager-less "it remains to be seen whether our red top friends have got this one right."
An Upton Park source source has told us within the last few minutes: "NOT TRUE! Where on earth does this stuff come from."
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Sevilla expects Emery to respect contract
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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Sevilla president Jose Castro expects Unai Emery to honour his contract with the Spanish club despite interest from Napoli and West Ham.
Emery has led Sevilla to back-to-back Europa League titles since arriving at Spain's oldest sports club which resulted in a champions league place qualification. Castro says he optimistic about his chances of persuading the 43-year-old manager to extend his contract, which has just 12 months to run. "We have a project in mind to build around Emery," the Sevilla supremo told SFC Radio. "Our coach has a contract for another year and I think that he will respect it. "We're speaking of an intelligent, serious person who has always put into practice what he's said. "We hope to be able to sign a new contract with him."
Napoli are believed to have offered Emery a three-year contract worth €3.5 million per season while West Ham could offer him a similar wage to that of Sam Allardyce at £3m per year.
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Blackpool appoint McDonald
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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Neil McDonald has been appointed as the new manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling deal. On their official website the Tangerines say:
'Blackpool Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil McDonald as the club's new manager on a one-year rolling deal. McDonald, 49, joins the club from Premier League side West Ham United, where he has spent the past four years as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce. Prior to that he worked alongside Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, as well as with Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace and Gary McAllister at Leeds United.'
'A highly-respected coach and the holder of a UEFA Pro Licence, McDonald managed Carlisle United to the club's highest placed finish for 20 years in 2007, before briefly heading to Sweden to save Östersunds FK from relegation.'
"This is a great opportunity for me, it's a massive football club in my opinion and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," McDonald told the official website. "It's a challenge that's going to be difficult – wherever you go it's always difficult – but it's a challenge that I'm really up for and really excited about.
"I've got to try and put my stamp on the football club and get it back to where it was. I've got to try and stabilise it first of all after what happened last year with relegation and change people's minds to try and get the confidence back and push the club on to pastures new."
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Valencia sets record straight
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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West Ham Striker Enner Valencia has been forced to set the record straight to defend himself. Yesterday, a number of tabloids and websites reported the story that Valencia would welcome transfer bids.
"I have heard of the [interest from] Chelsea and other teams, but we are going to wait. You have to see what happens. If it is for my good and that of West Ham, then it is welcome.We are going to see what happens after the Copa America – a competition in which I think we are going to do good things." Claimed a facebook which purported to be setup by the striker.
This afternoon Enner called the facebook quotes fake, taking to social media to defend himself he said:
"Once again I only have one Facebook account and I don't used much" posted with a picture of his real facebook page. "I really enjoyed my 1st season with West Ham and I am already looking forward to next season" He added. His interpreter & P.A, Martin Tanco said "Some fake Enner Valencia profiles on the web, causing trouble! Enner is not responsible at all" "Valencia has only one FB account, the real one is this one: the rest are fake!" added Tanco on his twitter account. Just over a week ago another tabloid suggested Enner Valencia was open to leaving the Hammers this summer if another club came in for him. The paper reported translated quotes from a Spanish interview which were found to be taken out of context.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
After completing an action-packed pre-season schedule, West Ham United went into the 2014/15 season in confident mood and produced a fine opening-day Barclays Premier League display against Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground, only for Mark Noble's missed penalty and Eric Dier's last-gasp goal to condemn the hosts to a harsh defeat.
The game also marked competitive debuts for summer signings Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate and substitute Enner Valencia.
West Ham bounced back to form with a fantastic 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace, with another new boy, Mauro Zarate, and Stewart Downing scoring beauties and Carlton Cole completing the Selhurst Park success with his first goal of the campaign.
Yet another new boy, Senegal striker Diafra Sakho, then marked his first start with a wonderful header against Sheffield United, only for the Blades to knock the home side out of the Capital One Cup on penalties following Winston Reid's unfortunate own-goal.
The opening month of the campaign ended with another disappointing defeat at the Boleyn Ground, this time in the Barclays Premier League at the hands of Ronald Koeman's high-flying Southampton.
Off the pitch, West Ham continued to bolster their ranks with the captures of Alex Song on a season-long loan from Barcelona and France international Morgan Amalfitano from Marseille on a permanent basis.
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Knoyle delighted to sign professional contract
WHUFc.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that England U18 international Kyle Knoyle has signed a new contract at the Club. The right-back, who joined the Academy as a 13-year-old, capped off an excellent season by putting pen to paper on a deal that keeps him in east London until June 2017. Describing the moment he turned professional, the talented defender said: "I'm delighted. It's something I've always dreamt of as a kid. It's an honour to get a contract at a Premier League club, I'm just looking to push on and make the next step to the first team. "I've been at the club for a while. Getting a professional contract was always the aim, ever since I arrived here. It's been a great five years so far and hopefully a good future too. "It's definitely one of my career highlights. I was delighted when I got my scholarship but this is a step up."
Knoyle has impressed for both the U18s and U21s, his pace and willingness to get forward proving a real asset, making a total of 18 appearances.
Midway through the season, Knoyle was side-lined through injury yet having overcome the setback, he made the step up from the Academy to the Development Squad: "I feel like I've coped with the step up from U18s to U21s very well. I did it the previous season which made the step up this season a lot easier.
"The injury was probably my lowest point in my career and I'm trying to get back to the level I was at before it. I've felt like I've put in a lot of good performances recently so hopefully I can keep that going into next season.
"I would describe myself as a quick right-back who likes to get up and down the pitch. I'd like to think I'm good at one-on-ones, overlapping and crossing. A modern day full-back really."
In a positive couple of weeks for the Academy, the 18-year-old was quick to cite the impact Reece Burke has made since his run in the first team as well as fellow Dev Squad teammate Djair Parfitt-Williams signing a new contract.
Knoyle, who has played alongside Burke for several years as part of a defensive back four said: "I'm very close to Reece. He lives nearby and to see a teammate do so well drives me to try and do well. I'm delighted for him while trying to get to his level.
"There's a good atmosphere around the Academy, 100%. It's nice to see young players getting opportunities and hopefully I'll get one soon."
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Betway make DT38 Foundation donation
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that principal sponsors, Betway will be making a donation to the DT38 Foundation.
Hammers fans will already be familiar with the DT38 Foundation in memory of Academy starlet Dylan Tombides. Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20.
The donation comes after West Ham United players Joey O'Brien, James Collins and Kevin Nolan took to the stage at The O2 Arena in a unique darting challenge with Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall.
Unfortunately, the Hammers stars proved to be no match for Tindall in the first ever #RugbyvFootball head-to-head leg of 501, which took place ahead of the Betway Premier League finals.
Betway ambassador and former England captain Tindall lived up to his billing as Betway's 1/6 red hot favourite, sealing victory with a double 15, which he hit with his first attempt.
Underdog O'Brien, who was a 3/1 shot ahead of the match and nicknamed 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' by fans ahead of the showdown, represented the football world alongside pals Nolan and Collins.
O'Brien assembled his team after beating his West Ham United teammates Carlton Cole, James Collins, Carl Jenkinson, Kevin Nolan, Diego Poyet, Winston Reid and Alex Song in Betway's #HammersAtTheArrers tungsten tournament at the club's training ground.
"It might not have been the result the football lads were after but it was a great experience to take on Mike Tindall alongside Kev and Ginge at the darts," said O'Brien. "I'll wait for the stick to die down first, but 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' will live to fight another day."
Betway's Alan Alger said he hopes it will not be the last time West Ham's stars are seen on the oche.
He said: "Congratulations to Mike 'The Tornado' Tindall who affirmed his status as hot favourite. Who knows, perhaps Joey 'The Green Arrow 'Ammer' O'Brien and his teammates will be calling for a rematch? The whole event was great fun on a thrilling night of darts at the O2 and we were pleased that we could donate money to a worthy cause in the process."
You can watch full coverage of the #RugbyvFootball challenge here.
For more information on the DT38 Foundation, click here.
Betway will also make a donation to The Matthew Hampson Foundation, a charity close to Mike Tindall, provides support to young people seriously injured through sport.
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From the Academy - Tony Carr
WHUFC.com
Former Director of the West Ham United Academy and current Club Ambassador Tony Carr pays tribute to one of the best Academy graduates of all time.
Hello,
As I'm sure you will have noticed, Rio Ferdinand, one of the greatest defenders of the Premier League era and former West Ham United Academy graduate, recently decided to retire.
To get a mention in Rio's retirement statement was very humbling. In my opinion, he is without doubt, one of the best Premier League defenders and at his peak, arguably the best. Simply put, he's one of the best English defenders there's ever been.
He's been a great servant to the game, to all the clubs he's played for and of course his country.
For me to have been able to play small role in his journey is something I am immensely proud of. But Rio deserves full credit because he never once lost that desire to improve, to keep on learning and test himself week after week.
In a career spanning 20 years, he made over 700 club appearances as well as winning 81 caps for England. As for trophies, he won a staggering six Premier Leagues title not to mention the FA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cup finals among other accolades.
Having come through the West Ham United Academy he has long been a superb example to the young talented players we've got coming through now. Not only for our young defenders but for everyone dreaming of making their way in football because of the way he approached the game. He is a model example.
We ask all out young players 'Are you as good as Rio Ferdinand was when he was your age?' because that is the level of player we want to produce. If the answer is no, then we need to look at what areas need to be strengthened and make those improvements.
Looking back, Rio actually started out as an attacker before moving into midfield and finally back into defence. He was initially a bit reluctant to play at the back but he soon got used to the idea and adapted quickly.
He always had good technique and his ability to read the game was superb. He wasn't always the tallest player, he was quite gangly and he went through a big growth spurt at 14 or 15 and actually lost a bit of his coordination. I've read that he actually had doubts whether he would become a player at all.
Technically he was always good, even before he came here he had that ability that the best players have.
You would have to say, looking through West Ham's history, Rio is up there with the best defenders the club has ever produced. I would include Rio in the same bracket as Bobby Moore.
There was never a light bulb moment with Rio when I thought 'Yes, he's got what it takes make it to the top.' But you noticed when he was 16 playing for the U18s he was one of the best players, so then you knew he had got something special.
The then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp did not take much convincing. Once he'd seen him play in training aged seventeen or so, Harry was convinced from the word go that he would be a good player, and so it proved.
Since the tragic death of his wife Rebecca, I know he received thousands and thousands of messages of support from across the world of football. That alone goes some way to show how big a footballer he was and how well respected he is, not just as player but also as a man.
On another note, I recently took part in a documentary about the life of the late, great Bobby Moore which will be released next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of England winning the World Cup and in particular looking at Bobby and his legacy.
It was great to be able to share those memories of a great, great man. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished piece and I'm sure it'll be a fitting tribute to him.
Best wishes,
Tony
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Back to Black
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's former assistant Neil McDonald has been confirmed as the new manager of League One club Blackpool.
The 49-year-old was unveiled as the Tangerines' new boss tonight, a fortnight after KUMB.com exclusively revealed the two parties were in talks.
The Bloomfield Road position was previously held by Lee Clark, who resigned last month following Blackpool's relegation from the Championship with a record low tally of 26 points from 46 games.
McDonald, who was assistant to Allardyce at the Boleyn Ground for four years has been searching for a managerial position since last summer, although he rejected the opportunity to join League Two side Carlisle back in January.
Since Allardyce left the club, three of his key employees have now found positions in management elsewhere.
In addition to McDonald at Blackpool, Teddy Sheringham was recently confirmed as manager of League Two Stevenage whilst former Hammers first team coach Ian Hendon is the new number one at League One Leyton Orient.
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Goalkeeper extends Boleyn stay
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Raphael Spiegel has extended his stay at West Ham by a further 12 months.
The 22-year-old Swiss goalkeeper joined West Ham in July 2012 on a three-year contract with a further one-year option - which the club have confirmed has now been triggered, extending the youngster's stay at the Boleyn Ground until next summer.
The 6'5" stopper is yet to make a single first team appearance for the Hammers and finds himself third in the pecking order once again, following the arrival of Darren Randolph from Birmingham on a free transfer who replaces the outgoing Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Since joining West Ham from former Swiss giants Grasshoppers, Spiegel has spent time on loan with Crawley, Barnet and, most recently, Carlisle, for whom he made two appearances back in February.
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Blackpool appoint Neil McDonald as their new manager
Last Updated: 02/06/15 8:42pm
SSN
Neil McDonald has been appointed as the new manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling deal. McDonald has spent the last four years at West Ham working as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce. The 49-year-old succeeds Lee Clark who resigned in the wake of the club's relegation to League One earlier this month. Clark took charge of Blackpool on October 30 with the club bottom of the Championship table but managed to secure only three wins in 33 games. McDonald, who also worked with Allardyce at Blackburn and Bolton, previously spent a year as Carlisle manager and saved Ostersunds FK from relegation during the five weeks he was in charge of the Swedish club. "This is a great opportunity for me, it's a massive football club in my opinion and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," McDonald told the official website. "It's a challenge that's going to be difficult - wherever you go it's always difficult - but it's a challenge that I'm really up for and really excited about. "I've got to try and put my stamp on the football club and get it back to where it was. I've got to try and stabilise it first of all after what happened last year with relegation and change people's minds to try and get the confidence back and push the club on to pastures new."
Blackpool's head of youth coaching Richie Kyle has been promoted to the role of first-team coach, while Paul Stephenson and Paul Crichton have left the back-room team.
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Irons fans get Europa Cup home tickets boost
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
The Irons will only have to give five per cent of their home seats to visiting fans in the Europa Cup tournament as opposed to the 15 per cent for domestic Cup clashes.
Uefa rules allow for five per cent of the tickets for visiting fans which equates to just 1,750 seats, leaving around 33,000 for Hammers fans wanting the experience European competition.
Europa league regulations say: 'All clubs in the competition must make at least 5% of the total capacity of their stadium available exclusively to visiting supporters, in a segregated, safe area. In addition, visiting clubs are entitled to purchase up to 200 top-category tickets for their VIP supporters'
In addition UEFA states "The official UEFA representatives and at least 20 representatives of the visiting club and its association must be provided with top-category seats (and associated hospitality) in the VIP sector."
Another difference between English Cup competitions and the Europa League is the home club gets to keep 100% of the ticket revenue unlike the FA Cup where the club keeps 45%.
If West Ham were to sell out 33,000 tickets at £20 each that would raise £660,000 per home game. We could well be involved in four home matches in the qualifying and play rounds before reaching the group stages bringing a potential and welcome £2.64m of ticket revenue in addition to any prize money we might earn from the TV rights distribution.
Unfortunately the away allocation rule works means of course that the top seeded West Ham – should they be drawn against a small team like Air UK Broughton FC in Wales – would see us receive a dismal ticket allocation.
Air UK's Hollingsworth Group stadium in Broughton is famous for its retractable floodlights because it is built on an airfield. It has a stadium capacity of just 1,600. A five per cent allocation would allow just 80 Hammers fans to travel to Wales to watch the match. UEFA requires a category 2 stadium to host qualifying stages the minimum requirement of which is a 1,500 seater stadium.
A West Ham insider said: "I think we need to see the draw first. We'll look at each game on case by case basis"
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Burke joins Allardyce's agent – Curtis!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Controversial agent Mark Curtis has signed young Reece Burke to his stable of players. The 18 year old is understood to have agreed to join former manager Sam Allardyce's representative towards the end of last season.
Curtis last found himself in the news, when it was reported that attempts had been made failed attempts to woo Ravel Morrison into his stable which allegedly led to bust-up between the player and former boss Allardyce.
Curtis has now added Burke to a list of players which is currently understood to include James Tomkins, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O'Brien, Kevin Nolan and Adrian, although there are reports this morning that Andy Carroll has left him.
Various sources report the pair have parted company over an alleged disagreement and the striker is now looking for a new representative which would appear to kill all stories stone dead of a deal to take the striker back to Newcastle.
However, a club source confirmed to ClaretandHugh exclusively that Burke had joined Curtis saying: "Yes, that's the case."
The youngster was previously represented by Stuart Richardson of Skill Equal which also looks after Mark Noble and who signed Reece to his professional contract with the club in October 2014.
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Song back at Barcelona
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
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Alex Song posted a picture of himself with fellow Barcelona team mate Neymar on Monday proving he has been reunited with parent Spanish club after the end of a season long loan with West Ham. Neymar is currently preparing for Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus but took time out to hang out with Song.
The Barcelona squad will soon travel to Berlin for this Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus.
Barcelona lifted the Copa del Rey after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao following a 3-1 victory last Saturday.
Song has been recently linked with a return to the Premier League with Manchester City because he is classed as a home grown player. James Milner looks set to leave the Etihad after seeing his contract expire and he could be followed out of the club by fellow Englishmen Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards.
That leaves City needing homegrown reinforcements and Song qualifies having joined Arsenal from Bastia at 17 and played three seasons at the club before his 21st birthday.
The return of Alex Song to Barcelona frees up another £75,000 per week off the Hammers wage bill.
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Genk deal on again
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham have signed Kara Mbodj from Genk, according to The Sun.
The tabloid claim the Hammers paid £4 million to the Belgian club for the services of the 25-year-old, who can play as a defender, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
West Ham tried to sign the Senegal international in the January transfer window but failed, we reported then that the Irons would try again in the summer. http://www.claretandhugh.info/kara-mbodj-still-a-target/
Until recently Genk was managed by Alex McLeish, who David Sullivan and David Gold used to employ at Birmingham City.
If the news is true, Mbodj will become West Ham's second signing of the summer following the acquisition of goalkeeper Darren Randolph on a free transfer from Birmingham City.
However, with the club manager-less at the moment, it remains to be seen whether our red top friends have got this one right.
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Emery heads for UK with future on hold
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Seville boss Unai Emery's has put his future on hold until after a reported trip to England this week where he is expected to meet David Sullivan and David Gold. The Europa League winning boss was yesterday involved in talks with Napoli and is now believed to be on his way for talks with the Irons co-owners. Madrid newspaper Deportivo El Decano reports that according to its sources a planned meeting is on hold at Seville with the manager due to visit the UK. The newspaper adds: "Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham seek him along of course with the Naples club . "
ClaretandHugh reported on Sunday that the Irons were awaiting a response from the Seville boss when we were told there was a three way fight going on for his signature after reports that it was a tug of war between Napoli and ourselves. 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.
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Carroll dumps Curtis
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
According to Matt Law in the Telegraph, Andy Carroll 'has split from his agent Mark Curtis over a dispute between the pair'
Carroll owns a racing horse called Ninety Minutes in partnership with Mark Curtis as well as his pal Kevin Nolan. The horse finished in eighth place out of nine when it raced at Newmarket last Saturday.
Curtis remains the agent for Sam Allardyce, Kevin Nolan, James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien and Matt Jarvis as far as we are aware. He was also involved in the Adrian deal and recently added Reece Burke to his list of clients. Former Hammers Jussi Jaaskalainen, Jack Collins and Guy Demel were also in his stable.
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Irons deny Genk midfielder signing
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
It seems morning reports in The Sun that the Irons have signed Genk midfielder Kara Mbodj are well wide of the mark – if indeed there is a mark at all.
The tabloid claim the Hammers paid £4 million to the Belgian club for the services of the 25-year-old, who can play as a defender, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
When recording the story this afternoon we wrote: "With the Irons manager-less "it remains to be seen whether our red top friends have got this one right."
An Upton Park source source has told us within the last few minutes: "NOT TRUE! Where on earth does this stuff come from."
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Sevilla expects Emery to respect contract
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Sevilla president Jose Castro expects Unai Emery to honour his contract with the Spanish club despite interest from Napoli and West Ham.
Emery has led Sevilla to back-to-back Europa League titles since arriving at Spain's oldest sports club which resulted in a champions league place qualification. Castro says he optimistic about his chances of persuading the 43-year-old manager to extend his contract, which has just 12 months to run. "We have a project in mind to build around Emery," the Sevilla supremo told SFC Radio. "Our coach has a contract for another year and I think that he will respect it. "We're speaking of an intelligent, serious person who has always put into practice what he's said. "We hope to be able to sign a new contract with him."
Napoli are believed to have offered Emery a three-year contract worth €3.5 million per season while West Ham could offer him a similar wage to that of Sam Allardyce at £3m per year.
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Blackpool appoint McDonald
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Neil McDonald has been appointed as the new manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling deal. On their official website the Tangerines say:
'Blackpool Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil McDonald as the club's new manager on a one-year rolling deal. McDonald, 49, joins the club from Premier League side West Ham United, where he has spent the past four years as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce. Prior to that he worked alongside Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, as well as with Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace and Gary McAllister at Leeds United.'
'A highly-respected coach and the holder of a UEFA Pro Licence, McDonald managed Carlisle United to the club's highest placed finish for 20 years in 2007, before briefly heading to Sweden to save Östersunds FK from relegation.'
"This is a great opportunity for me, it's a massive football club in my opinion and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," McDonald told the official website. "It's a challenge that's going to be difficult – wherever you go it's always difficult – but it's a challenge that I'm really up for and really excited about.
"I've got to try and put my stamp on the football club and get it back to where it was. I've got to try and stabilise it first of all after what happened last year with relegation and change people's minds to try and get the confidence back and push the club on to pastures new."
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Valencia sets record straight
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 2, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham Striker Enner Valencia has been forced to set the record straight to defend himself. Yesterday, a number of tabloids and websites reported the story that Valencia would welcome transfer bids.
"I have heard of the [interest from] Chelsea and other teams, but we are going to wait. You have to see what happens. If it is for my good and that of West Ham, then it is welcome.We are going to see what happens after the Copa America – a competition in which I think we are going to do good things." Claimed a facebook which purported to be setup by the striker.
This afternoon Enner called the facebook quotes fake, taking to social media to defend himself he said:
"Once again I only have one Facebook account and I don't used much" posted with a picture of his real facebook page. "I really enjoyed my 1st season with West Ham and I am already looking forward to next season" He added. His interpreter & P.A, Martin Tanco said "Some fake Enner Valencia profiles on the web, causing trouble! Enner is not responsible at all" "Valencia has only one FB account, the real one is this one: the rest are fake!" added Tanco on his twitter account. Just over a week ago another tabloid suggested Enner Valencia was open to leaving the Hammers this summer if another club came in for him. The paper reported translated quotes from a Spanish interview which were found to be taken out of context.
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Tuesday, June 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd June 2015
Cresswell scoops KUMB award
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell has been named Player of the Year by readers of independent West Ham website KUMB.com. The 25-year-old full-back, who was recently crowned Hammer of the Year followed up that prestigious award with a double-scoop at the KUMB Awards.
In addition to being named Player of the Year Cresswell also picked up the Best Signing Award at the event, which was staged at The Cow in Westfield Stratford City, overlooking West Ham United's magnificent new home at the Olympic Stadium.
Ex-Hammer Jack Collison was also a double-winner on the night, picking up the Most Missed Award (for players who left the club within the last year) and the KUMB Podcast Guest of the Year award.
Elsewhere Reece Burke collected the Young Player of the Year award with a whopping 92 per cent of votes, whilst Enner Valencia won Goal of the Season for his wonderful effort at Hull City last September.
This season's Most Memorable Match was the 3-1 win over Liverpool last September, whilst the KUMB readers' Most Improved Player of 2014/15 was Stewart Downing.
The event featured special guests Jimmy Walker and Rufus Brevett, both of whom featured for West Ham during Alan Pardew's tenure in the mid-2000s.
The duo, who used to room together when Hammers teammates, kept the audience fully entertained throughout the evening with hilarious stories of their time together at the club.
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Poyet makes winning start
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet's Uruguay kicked-off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Serbia.
The West Ham United midfielder appeared as a 71st-minute substitute as La Albiceleste defeated their European opponents at the spectacular Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Uruguay's goal was scored by Facundo Castro eleven minutes after half-time, with Poyet helping to ensure the 2013 runners-up made the perfect start to this year's finals.
In the other opening Group D fixture, Mali defeated Mexico 2-0.
Uruguay face the Mexicans at the same venue on Wednesday at 4pm local time (5am UK time) before completing their group-stage commitments by tackling Mali at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 6 June at 4pm local time (5am UK time).
Elsewhere, Enner Valencia and Ecuador will step up their preparations for this month's Copa America finals in Chile by facing Panama in a pair of warm-up fixtures on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.
The first meeting will be held at the Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, while the second will take place at the Estadio Reales Tamarindos in Portoviejo, Ecuador.
Ecuador kick-off their Copa America Group A challenge by facing host nation Chile in Santiago on Thursday 11 June, before tackling Bolivia in Valparaiso four days later and Mexico in Rancagua on Friday 19 June.
At age-group level, goalkeeper Sam Howes is in the England U18 squad for an international double-header with Russia at the Arena Khimki in Moscow on Monday 8 June and Wednesday 10 June.
Finally, James Collins will miss Wales' vital 2016 UEFA European Championship Group B qualifier with Belgium in Cardiff on Friday 12 June due to a calf injury.
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Parfitt-Williams signs new contract
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that highly rated Academy prospect Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a professional contract at the Club.
The skilful forward has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at West Ham until June 2017.
Speaking after committing his future to the Hammers, Parfitt-Williams, who was the U18's top goal scorer this season with nine strikes, said: "Ever since I was young I've always wanted to be a professional footballer, so it feels really good.
"It's nice to see my hard work recognised. I do a lot of extra training and I'm always watching football. For my hard work to come out on the pitch is excellent.
"I've known the contract was coming for a while, so it's nice to finally sign it. It felt kind of weird."
Parfitt-Williams' impressive performances culminated in his nomination for the prestigious Dylan Tombides Award at this year's Player Awards.
Speaking about being nominated, he said: "It was nice to be nominated for the award. I was unlucky not to win it but it's just nice to be recognised as one of the best players at the Academy.
"It's great to be top goal scorer. I've worked hard on my finishing which has paid off in my games."
Following the close of the regular Barclays U21 Premier League season, Parfitt-Williams played, and excelled, in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament scoring against Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee.
In a terrific campaign by the young Hammers, they were just pipped to the title by Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid, losing narrowly 3-2 in the final.
The impressive showing in Hong Kong follows further good news for the Academy after 18-year-old Reece Burke broke into the first team in the latter stages of the season.
Parfitt-Williams continued: "Reece breaking into the first team is great. It's a huge incentive for me and all the other players trying to break into the first team. It's made me hungrier to get there. I've been teammates with Reece since I came to West Ham as an U15.
"I pleased for him. There is a good atmosphere around the academy at the moment. This generation coming through at the Academy has a lot of talent and a few boys here have a real good chance of making it."
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Academy star sets eyes on first team
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 1st June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a two-year professional contract with West Ham - and has his eye very much on the first team squad.
The 19-year-old forward, leading goalscorer for the U18s this season has put pen to paper on his first professional deal. However he hopes that is just the first step to becoming a first team regular.
Speaking to whufc.com, Parfitt-Williams admitted that his main ambition at present is to represent the club in the Premier League.
"It's got to be the first team," he said. "That's where I want to be. I've just got to keep pushing like how I've pushed to get into the Under 21s - and I know I can be there.
"Seeing Reece [Burke] in the first team has made me even more hungry to get there. We've been team mates since I first came in as an Under 15 so I'm happy for him.
"This generation, there's a lot of good young players coming through at the Academy. I think if we all apply ourselves then a few of the boys have a real chance."
Parfitt-Williams was recommended to West Ham by former Hammer Clyde Best, who spotted the promising striker starring for San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
He recently declared his intention to represent the United States at international level rather than Bermuda, his country of birth where he lived until the age of eight before moving to California.
Current Under 21s boss Steve Potts worked extensively with Parfitt-Williams during his time with the Under 18s and believes West Ham have another young star in the making. "His technical ability is fantastic," remarked the former central defender recently.
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West Ham discussing manager's job with Frank de Boer, Unai Emery, Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa
By Amy Lewis
Last Updated: 01/06/15 12:52pm
SSN
West Ham are discussing their vacant manager's job with four men - Frank de Boer, Unai Emery, Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa - according to Sky sources. The Hammers are keen to appoint a new boss within the next 10 days after former manager Sam Allardyce's contract was not renewed and he left the club last week. Ajax boss De Boer, whose side finished runners-up to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie this season, was in contention for the Tottenham job before they hired Mauricio Pochettino last summer and has retained a desire to manage in England.
Besiktas boss Bilic, meanwhile, has an affinity with West Ham having played over 50 times for the club and is also believed to be keen to manage in the Premier League. Unai Emery is the Sevilla head coach who has clinched two successive Europa League trophies and Argentinian Bielsa is the current boss at Marseille. Last week, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan promised supporters there would be imminent signings and a 'big-name' manager. He said: "I am dedicating every waking minute to recruiting the best available manager to drive our club forwards. "It is a constantly changing landscape but we are being absolutely thorough in our search, by speaking to representatives of a number of managers and doing our own due diligence on each one. "Given that, I am not expecting us to make an appointment for at least a week as we must do everything we can to get this appointment right."
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WEST HAM'S EUROPEAN TOUR
By Sean Whetstone 1 Jun 2015 at 15:13
West Ham till I Die
The completion of many European seasons yesterday has settled the other 101 teams we could face in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
Southampton have now also qualified for next season's Europa League thanks to Arsenal's 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final. The Saints who finished an impressive seventh in the league will enter the competition at the third qualifying round stage, meaning their first game will be on Thursday 30th July.
This means Liverpool who finished sixth in the Premier League will now join Spurs in the group stages of the competition in which 48 teams complete with their first group matches scheduled for 17th September.
West Ham will have to go the long way around by entering at the first qualifying round with our first game on 2nd July just 4 weeks away. Players are expected to return for pre-season training on Monday 22nd June.
The Europa league first qualifying round contains a total of 104 teams selected from 31 domestic cup winners, 35 domestic league runners-up, 35 domestic league third-placed teams and finally 3 teams which qualified via Fair Play ranking.
In the qualifying rounds and the play-off round, teams are divided into seeded and unseeded teams based on their 2015 UEFA club coefficients,313233 and then drawn into two-legged home-and-away ties. Teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other. List of each country/team and their co efficient ranking below.
The club coefficient rankings are determined by the results of clubs in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League over the previous five seasons, as well as by the coefficient of the clubs' association. The club coefficient is the sum of the points earned by the club over the five seasons plus 20% of the club's association coefficient.
West Ham have the highest coefficient so are seeded in top spot in the first qualifying round purely down to the Football Association/Premier League ranking.
England West Ham United Coeff. 16.078
Moldova Sheriff Tiraspol Coeff. 14.500
Norway Rosenborg Coeff. 11.875
Sweden Elfsborg Coeff. 11.545
Croatia Hajduk Split Coeff. 11.200
Cyprus Apollon Limassol Coeff. 10.460
Cyprus Omonia Coeff. 10.460
Slovakia Slovan Bratislava Coeff. 9.250
Sweden AIK Coeff. 9.045
Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku Coeff. 9.000
Slovakia Žilina Coeff. 8.750
Kazakhstan Aktobe Coeff. 8.575
Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles Coeff. 8.195
Serbia Red Star Belgrade Coeff. 7.775
Hungary Debrecen Coeff. 7.700
Denmark Brøndby Coeff. 7.460
Belarus Shakhtyor Soligorsk Coeff. 7.150
Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi Coeff. 6.875
Serbia Vojvodina CC: 6.275
Slovakia Spartak Trnava Coeff. 6.250
Iceland FH Coeff. 6.100
Scotland St. Johnstone Coeff. 6.080
Bosnia and Herzegovina Željezni?ar Coeff. 6.000
Denmark Randers Coeff. 5.960
Norway Strømsgodset Coeff. 5.875
Iceland KR Coeff. 5.600
Romania Boto?ani Coeff. 5.259
Croatia Lokomotiva Coeff. 5.200
Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers Coeff. 5.150
Luxembourg F91 Dudelange Coeff. 5.025
Azerbaijan Inter Baku Coeff. 5.000
Northern Ireland Linfield Coeff. 4.975
Bulgaria Beroe Stara Zagora Coeff. 4.850
Malta Valletta Coeff. 4.841
Luxembourg Differdange 03 Coeff. 4.775
Republic of Macedonia Rabotni?ki CC: 4.675
Belarus Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino Coeff. 4.650
Scotland Aberdeen Coeff. 4.580
Moldova Dacia Chi?in?u Coeff. 4.500
Slovenia Koper Coeff. 4.475
Republic of Ireland St Patrick's Athletic Coeff. 4.400
Bulgaria Lokomotiv Sofia Coeff. 4.350
Israel Beitar Jerusalem Coeff. 4.200
Bosnia and Herzegovina Zrinjski Mostar Coeff. 4.000
Faroe Islands HB Coeff. 3.950
Montenegro Budu?nost Podgorica Coeff. 3.875
Malta Birkirkara Coeff. 3.591
Slovenia Domžale Coeff. 3.475
Liechtenstein Vaduz Coeff. 3.450
Serbia ?ukari?ki Coeff. 3.275
Slovenia Celje Coeff. 3.225
Hungary Ferencváros Coeff. 3.200
Estonia Nõmme Kalju Coeff. 3.200
Estonia Flora Tallinn Coeff. 3.200
Montenegro Sutjeska Nikši? Coeff. 3.125
Latvia Skonto Coeff. 3.100
Faroe Islands Víkingur Gøta Coeff. 2.950
Republic of Macedonia Renova Coeff. 2.925
Norway Odd Coeff. 2.875
Albania Kukësi Coeff. 2.825
Azerbaijan Gabala Coeff. 2.750
Republic of Macedonia Shkëndija Coeff. 2.675
Kazakhstan Kairat Coeff. 2.575
Kazakhstan Ordabasy Coeff. 2.575
Hungary MTK Budapest Coeff. 2.450
Armenia Shirak Coeff. 2.300
Montenegro Mladost Podgorica Coeff. 2.125
Albania Laçi Coeff. 2.075
Armenia Ulisses Coeff. 2.050
Moldova Saxan Coeff. 2.000
Northern Ireland Glentoran Coeff. 1.975
Finland VPS Coeff. 1.890
Georgia (country) Dinamo Batumi Coeff. 1.875
Georgia (country) Spartaki Tskhinvali Coeff. 1.875
Estonia Sillamäe Kalev Coeff. 1.700
Andorra Lusitanos Coeff. 1.666
Finland SJK Coeff. 1.640
Finland Lahti Coeff. 1.640
Iceland Víkingur Reykjavík Coeff. 1.600
Latvia Jelgava Coeff. 1.600
Bosnia and Herzegovina Olimpic Coeff. 1.500
Faroe Islands NSÍ Runavík Coeff. 1.450
Andorra Sant Julià Coeff. 1.416
Lithuania Atlantas Coeff. 1.400
Northern Ireland Glenavon Coeff. 1.225
Republic of Ireland Cork City Coeff. 1.150
Republic of Ireland UCD Coeff. 1.150
Lithuania Kruoja Pakruojis Coeff. 1.150
San Marino La Fiorita Coeff. 1.099
Wales Airbus UK Broughton Coeff. 1.075
Albania Partizani Tirana Coeff. 1.075
Luxembourg Progrès Niederkorn Coeff. 1.025
Lithuania Trakai Coeff. 0.900
Latvia Spartaks J?rmala Coeff. 0.850
Malta Balzan Coeff. 0.841
Wales Bala Town Coeff. 0.825
San Marino Juvenes/Dogana Coeff. 0.599
Wales Newtown Coeff. 0.575
Armenia Alashkert Coeff. 0.550
Gibraltar College Europa Coeff. 0.300
Poland Runners-up or third-placed team of 2014–15 Ekstraklasa
Poland Fourth-placed team of 2014–15 Ekstraklasa
So which team do you fancy for a little European tour in the first round?
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West Ham manager search focused on Marcelo Bielsa as top target Unai Emery closes on the Napoli job
22:30, 1 JUNE 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
Ex-Hammer Slaven Bilic remains the bookies' favourite but Upton Park chiefs have the Marseille boss above him on their shopping list
The Mirror
West Ham are set to step up their interest in Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa with their move for Europa League-winning Sevilla coach Unai Emery under threat. The Hammers are targeting a big name to replace Sam Allardyce, who left by mutual consent last month. Having seen Rafa Benitez - with whom they had agreed a deal - poached by Real Madrid, however, they are now being challenged for Emery's services by the club that Benitez is poised to leave, Napoli. It is understood Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is set to meet with Emery and his agent to persuade him to move to Serie A instead of the Premier League. The West Ham position, nonetheless, remains an attractive one and Mirror Sport first revealed last week that Argentinian Bielsa, whose Marseille side were narrowly beaten to a Champions League place, is keen. The east Londoners have never discounted the 59-year-old, despite claims that he is poised for a new deal at his French club.
Bookies' favourite and former Hammers star Slaven Bilic has confirmed his next job will be outside Turkey after leaving Besiktas at the end of the season. But neither he nor another of the names touted for the post, Ajax coach Frank De Boer, are uppermost in the thinking of the West Ham hierarchy.
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West Ham's Enner Valencia welcomes Chelsea transfer interest ahead of potential big-money move
22:30, 1 JUNE 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
Ecuador striker will decide his future after this month's Copa America and said "if it is for my good and that of West Ham then it is welcome"
The Mirror
West Ham forward Enner Valencia has claimed he will decide his future after this month's Copa America, amid interest from Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Ecuador star said: "We are going to see what happens after the Copa America - a competition in which I think we are going to do good things. "I have heard of the [interest from] Chelsea, yes. And other teams. But we are going to wait. You have to see what happens. "If it is for my good and that of West Ham, then it is welcome."
The Copa America begins on June 11 and runs until July 4. Ecuador kick off their group stage campaign against Chile on the opening day before playing Bolivia and Mexico. West Ham, however, insist Valencia - signed only last summer for £12million from Mexican club Pachuca - is going nowhere. The east Londoners remain relaxed in the knowledge that the player is on a five-year contract and that only a massive offer would tempt them into allowing him to leave Upton Park.
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Pulis aims to 'Baggie' Nene!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Nene is tonight being reported as being possibly set for a move to West Bromwich Albion. ESPN has said that the former Paris St Germain forward – who will not be offered a new Upton Park deal – could be on his way to the west midlands. They say that West Brom boss Tony Pulis is weighing up a move" for the 33-year-old who made just eight appearances at Upton Prk under Sam Allardyce's management.
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Valencia gets a "start performing" message
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Enner Valencia has been warned that he needs to perform for West Ham before he starts talking up a possible move to Chelsea. The striker went public on his Facebook page today, as we reported earlier, claiming he had heard of the Chelsea connection declaring: "If it is good for me and for West Ham, welcome it is!" However, there was a quick reaction from the club of mixed amusement and mild frustration with a top insider speaking for many. He said: "It sounds very much to me as if this is the case of a player believing press reports which are total rubbsh anyway – there has been no bid. "If Enner wants a big money move I think it would be realistic to expect him to start performing for West Ham United."
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De Boer staying at Ajax says agent
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Frank de Boer's agent Guido Albers has all-but ruled out the chances of the Dutch manager leaving Ajax this summer.
Albers told Dutch media "Frank has agreed that he will remain at Ajax next year. Only when Ajax itself indicates they no longer want him will other clubs come into the picture."
This morning Sky Sports claimed De Boer is one of four names on West Ham managerial shortlist ahead of next season.
Two days ago West Ham club insiders revealed to Claret and Hugh that the 45 year old is seen as as a gamble given that the Dutch League is among the weakest in Europe.
Admitting there was an interest, our source revealed added that it would be "entirely wrong" to put him among the front runners.
The source added: "Obviously he plays the kind of football very much associated with this club and has won titles in Holland but it's not unlike the Scottish League. How much does that mean? It would be a gamble."
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Irons look at two more boss candidates
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham have considered an application from former Watford boss Slaviša Jokanović (above right) as their hunt for the new man continues.
And although he is an unlikely candidate, Eddie Howe still hasn't been entirely ruled out. However the club is still essentially looking for candidates with Premier League experience. Former Chelsea midfielder Jokanović led Watford to promotion last season but has left Vicarage Road reportedly after unable being able to agree new terms. He had been appointed on a short term contract when becoming their fourth coach in five weeks. Under him the club sealed promotion with a 2–0 win at Brighton. An insider admitted that he had been put forward but told us exclsuively: " It's such an important year that we have to get the appointment spot on. It could be seen as a gamble."
Eddie Howe's name has never been far from the front tier of candidates but the lack of Premier League experience remains a problem.
We were told: "He's a great young manager who has done a remarkable job at Bournemouth. Is he ready for life in the Premier League at West Ham ? That's a big question isn't it? Howe last year extended his Cherries contract until 2018 and around £2 million would be required in compensation were he to join the Irons.
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Benitez arrives in Madrid
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Rafael Benitez has arrived in Madrid, less than 24 hours after overseeing his final game in charge of Napoli which he lost 4-2 to Lazio.
Benitez is expected to be named the new Real Madrid coach this week. "I am enthusiastic and happy," Benitez told the Spanish press upon his arrival in the capital. "Although there are things that still need to be discussed," he said. It is claimed that Real Madrid hijacked a deal for Rafa Benitez with whom the Hammers were said to be within a couple of hours from reaching an agreement with.
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Klopp confirms sabattical
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he'll take a sabbatical until further notice telling media this morning "I will take a break until further notice, after seven intense and emotional years of 'Real Love', I consider it sensible to process all these memories until I'm fresh and full of motivation to take on a new task, together with my team."
Two days ago we reported that West Ham were refusing to give up on persuading Klopp to join West Ham but now it appears his mind is made up to have a break from football.
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Upbeat Carroll tweets good news
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Andy Carroll appears to be very much on the mend and stepping up his training regime.
The striker tweeted an upbeat message giving hope that he could be back in action for the opening Europa Cup matches in July.
He wrote: "Great start to the week with a sunny session at Chadwell Heath."
He has been out of action since he underwent a knee operation back in February having suffered medial ligament damage against Southampton.
Should he be fit, the front man is almost certain to play as the Hammers would see the games as a perfect way of getting him up to full fitness.
The club kicks off its campaign on July 2.
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Emery in talks with Napoli president
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Spanish media say Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis boarded a flight to Madrid this morning in an attempt to secure the signing of Sevilla coach and West Ham target, Unai Emery to manage in Serie A next season.
De Lauerntiis and his right hand man, Andrea Chiavelli, will meet later this evening with Emery and his agent, Jorge Mendes, with the intention of convincing the Basque coach of a move to the San Paolo will further his career.
Emery will have to renounce Champions League football after Sevilla's win in last week's Europa League Following last night's 2-4 defeat to Lazio, Napoli will have to settle for Europa League football next season. If Emery isn't persuaded to join Napoli, then the next candidate in line For Napoli is said to be Serbian, Sinisa Mihajlovic, who today resigned as Sampdoria coach.
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WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell has been named Player of the Year by readers of independent West Ham website KUMB.com. The 25-year-old full-back, who was recently crowned Hammer of the Year followed up that prestigious award with a double-scoop at the KUMB Awards.
In addition to being named Player of the Year Cresswell also picked up the Best Signing Award at the event, which was staged at The Cow in Westfield Stratford City, overlooking West Ham United's magnificent new home at the Olympic Stadium.
Ex-Hammer Jack Collison was also a double-winner on the night, picking up the Most Missed Award (for players who left the club within the last year) and the KUMB Podcast Guest of the Year award.
Elsewhere Reece Burke collected the Young Player of the Year award with a whopping 92 per cent of votes, whilst Enner Valencia won Goal of the Season for his wonderful effort at Hull City last September.
This season's Most Memorable Match was the 3-1 win over Liverpool last September, whilst the KUMB readers' Most Improved Player of 2014/15 was Stewart Downing.
The event featured special guests Jimmy Walker and Rufus Brevett, both of whom featured for West Ham during Alan Pardew's tenure in the mid-2000s.
The duo, who used to room together when Hammers teammates, kept the audience fully entertained throughout the evening with hilarious stories of their time together at the club.
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Poyet makes winning start
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet's Uruguay kicked-off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Serbia.
The West Ham United midfielder appeared as a 71st-minute substitute as La Albiceleste defeated their European opponents at the spectacular Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Uruguay's goal was scored by Facundo Castro eleven minutes after half-time, with Poyet helping to ensure the 2013 runners-up made the perfect start to this year's finals.
In the other opening Group D fixture, Mali defeated Mexico 2-0.
Uruguay face the Mexicans at the same venue on Wednesday at 4pm local time (5am UK time) before completing their group-stage commitments by tackling Mali at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 6 June at 4pm local time (5am UK time).
Elsewhere, Enner Valencia and Ecuador will step up their preparations for this month's Copa America finals in Chile by facing Panama in a pair of warm-up fixtures on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.
The first meeting will be held at the Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, while the second will take place at the Estadio Reales Tamarindos in Portoviejo, Ecuador.
Ecuador kick-off their Copa America Group A challenge by facing host nation Chile in Santiago on Thursday 11 June, before tackling Bolivia in Valparaiso four days later and Mexico in Rancagua on Friday 19 June.
At age-group level, goalkeeper Sam Howes is in the England U18 squad for an international double-header with Russia at the Arena Khimki in Moscow on Monday 8 June and Wednesday 10 June.
Finally, James Collins will miss Wales' vital 2016 UEFA European Championship Group B qualifier with Belgium in Cardiff on Friday 12 June due to a calf injury.
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Parfitt-Williams signs new contract
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that highly rated Academy prospect Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a professional contract at the Club.
The skilful forward has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at West Ham until June 2017.
Speaking after committing his future to the Hammers, Parfitt-Williams, who was the U18's top goal scorer this season with nine strikes, said: "Ever since I was young I've always wanted to be a professional footballer, so it feels really good.
"It's nice to see my hard work recognised. I do a lot of extra training and I'm always watching football. For my hard work to come out on the pitch is excellent.
"I've known the contract was coming for a while, so it's nice to finally sign it. It felt kind of weird."
Parfitt-Williams' impressive performances culminated in his nomination for the prestigious Dylan Tombides Award at this year's Player Awards.
Speaking about being nominated, he said: "It was nice to be nominated for the award. I was unlucky not to win it but it's just nice to be recognised as one of the best players at the Academy.
"It's great to be top goal scorer. I've worked hard on my finishing which has paid off in my games."
Following the close of the regular Barclays U21 Premier League season, Parfitt-Williams played, and excelled, in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament scoring against Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee.
In a terrific campaign by the young Hammers, they were just pipped to the title by Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid, losing narrowly 3-2 in the final.
The impressive showing in Hong Kong follows further good news for the Academy after 18-year-old Reece Burke broke into the first team in the latter stages of the season.
Parfitt-Williams continued: "Reece breaking into the first team is great. It's a huge incentive for me and all the other players trying to break into the first team. It's made me hungrier to get there. I've been teammates with Reece since I came to West Ham as an U15.
"I pleased for him. There is a good atmosphere around the academy at the moment. This generation coming through at the Academy has a lot of talent and a few boys here have a real good chance of making it."
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Academy star sets eyes on first team
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 1st June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a two-year professional contract with West Ham - and has his eye very much on the first team squad.
The 19-year-old forward, leading goalscorer for the U18s this season has put pen to paper on his first professional deal. However he hopes that is just the first step to becoming a first team regular.
Speaking to whufc.com, Parfitt-Williams admitted that his main ambition at present is to represent the club in the Premier League.
"It's got to be the first team," he said. "That's where I want to be. I've just got to keep pushing like how I've pushed to get into the Under 21s - and I know I can be there.
"Seeing Reece [Burke] in the first team has made me even more hungry to get there. We've been team mates since I first came in as an Under 15 so I'm happy for him.
"This generation, there's a lot of good young players coming through at the Academy. I think if we all apply ourselves then a few of the boys have a real chance."
Parfitt-Williams was recommended to West Ham by former Hammer Clyde Best, who spotted the promising striker starring for San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
He recently declared his intention to represent the United States at international level rather than Bermuda, his country of birth where he lived until the age of eight before moving to California.
Current Under 21s boss Steve Potts worked extensively with Parfitt-Williams during his time with the Under 18s and believes West Ham have another young star in the making. "His technical ability is fantastic," remarked the former central defender recently.
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West Ham discussing manager's job with Frank de Boer, Unai Emery, Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa
By Amy Lewis
Last Updated: 01/06/15 12:52pm
SSN
West Ham are discussing their vacant manager's job with four men - Frank de Boer, Unai Emery, Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa - according to Sky sources. The Hammers are keen to appoint a new boss within the next 10 days after former manager Sam Allardyce's contract was not renewed and he left the club last week. Ajax boss De Boer, whose side finished runners-up to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie this season, was in contention for the Tottenham job before they hired Mauricio Pochettino last summer and has retained a desire to manage in England.
Besiktas boss Bilic, meanwhile, has an affinity with West Ham having played over 50 times for the club and is also believed to be keen to manage in the Premier League. Unai Emery is the Sevilla head coach who has clinched two successive Europa League trophies and Argentinian Bielsa is the current boss at Marseille. Last week, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan promised supporters there would be imminent signings and a 'big-name' manager. He said: "I am dedicating every waking minute to recruiting the best available manager to drive our club forwards. "It is a constantly changing landscape but we are being absolutely thorough in our search, by speaking to representatives of a number of managers and doing our own due diligence on each one. "Given that, I am not expecting us to make an appointment for at least a week as we must do everything we can to get this appointment right."
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WEST HAM'S EUROPEAN TOUR
By Sean Whetstone 1 Jun 2015 at 15:13
West Ham till I Die
The completion of many European seasons yesterday has settled the other 101 teams we could face in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
Southampton have now also qualified for next season's Europa League thanks to Arsenal's 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final. The Saints who finished an impressive seventh in the league will enter the competition at the third qualifying round stage, meaning their first game will be on Thursday 30th July.
This means Liverpool who finished sixth in the Premier League will now join Spurs in the group stages of the competition in which 48 teams complete with their first group matches scheduled for 17th September.
West Ham will have to go the long way around by entering at the first qualifying round with our first game on 2nd July just 4 weeks away. Players are expected to return for pre-season training on Monday 22nd June.
The Europa league first qualifying round contains a total of 104 teams selected from 31 domestic cup winners, 35 domestic league runners-up, 35 domestic league third-placed teams and finally 3 teams which qualified via Fair Play ranking.
In the qualifying rounds and the play-off round, teams are divided into seeded and unseeded teams based on their 2015 UEFA club coefficients,313233 and then drawn into two-legged home-and-away ties. Teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other. List of each country/team and their co efficient ranking below.
The club coefficient rankings are determined by the results of clubs in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League over the previous five seasons, as well as by the coefficient of the clubs' association. The club coefficient is the sum of the points earned by the club over the five seasons plus 20% of the club's association coefficient.
West Ham have the highest coefficient so are seeded in top spot in the first qualifying round purely down to the Football Association/Premier League ranking.
England West Ham United Coeff. 16.078
Moldova Sheriff Tiraspol Coeff. 14.500
Norway Rosenborg Coeff. 11.875
Sweden Elfsborg Coeff. 11.545
Croatia Hajduk Split Coeff. 11.200
Cyprus Apollon Limassol Coeff. 10.460
Cyprus Omonia Coeff. 10.460
Slovakia Slovan Bratislava Coeff. 9.250
Sweden AIK Coeff. 9.045
Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku Coeff. 9.000
Slovakia Žilina Coeff. 8.750
Kazakhstan Aktobe Coeff. 8.575
Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles Coeff. 8.195
Serbia Red Star Belgrade Coeff. 7.775
Hungary Debrecen Coeff. 7.700
Denmark Brøndby Coeff. 7.460
Belarus Shakhtyor Soligorsk Coeff. 7.150
Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi Coeff. 6.875
Serbia Vojvodina CC: 6.275
Slovakia Spartak Trnava Coeff. 6.250
Iceland FH Coeff. 6.100
Scotland St. Johnstone Coeff. 6.080
Bosnia and Herzegovina Željezni?ar Coeff. 6.000
Denmark Randers Coeff. 5.960
Norway Strømsgodset Coeff. 5.875
Iceland KR Coeff. 5.600
Romania Boto?ani Coeff. 5.259
Croatia Lokomotiva Coeff. 5.200
Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers Coeff. 5.150
Luxembourg F91 Dudelange Coeff. 5.025
Azerbaijan Inter Baku Coeff. 5.000
Northern Ireland Linfield Coeff. 4.975
Bulgaria Beroe Stara Zagora Coeff. 4.850
Malta Valletta Coeff. 4.841
Luxembourg Differdange 03 Coeff. 4.775
Republic of Macedonia Rabotni?ki CC: 4.675
Belarus Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino Coeff. 4.650
Scotland Aberdeen Coeff. 4.580
Moldova Dacia Chi?in?u Coeff. 4.500
Slovenia Koper Coeff. 4.475
Republic of Ireland St Patrick's Athletic Coeff. 4.400
Bulgaria Lokomotiv Sofia Coeff. 4.350
Israel Beitar Jerusalem Coeff. 4.200
Bosnia and Herzegovina Zrinjski Mostar Coeff. 4.000
Faroe Islands HB Coeff. 3.950
Montenegro Budu?nost Podgorica Coeff. 3.875
Malta Birkirkara Coeff. 3.591
Slovenia Domžale Coeff. 3.475
Liechtenstein Vaduz Coeff. 3.450
Serbia ?ukari?ki Coeff. 3.275
Slovenia Celje Coeff. 3.225
Hungary Ferencváros Coeff. 3.200
Estonia Nõmme Kalju Coeff. 3.200
Estonia Flora Tallinn Coeff. 3.200
Montenegro Sutjeska Nikši? Coeff. 3.125
Latvia Skonto Coeff. 3.100
Faroe Islands Víkingur Gøta Coeff. 2.950
Republic of Macedonia Renova Coeff. 2.925
Norway Odd Coeff. 2.875
Albania Kukësi Coeff. 2.825
Azerbaijan Gabala Coeff. 2.750
Republic of Macedonia Shkëndija Coeff. 2.675
Kazakhstan Kairat Coeff. 2.575
Kazakhstan Ordabasy Coeff. 2.575
Hungary MTK Budapest Coeff. 2.450
Armenia Shirak Coeff. 2.300
Montenegro Mladost Podgorica Coeff. 2.125
Albania Laçi Coeff. 2.075
Armenia Ulisses Coeff. 2.050
Moldova Saxan Coeff. 2.000
Northern Ireland Glentoran Coeff. 1.975
Finland VPS Coeff. 1.890
Georgia (country) Dinamo Batumi Coeff. 1.875
Georgia (country) Spartaki Tskhinvali Coeff. 1.875
Estonia Sillamäe Kalev Coeff. 1.700
Andorra Lusitanos Coeff. 1.666
Finland SJK Coeff. 1.640
Finland Lahti Coeff. 1.640
Iceland Víkingur Reykjavík Coeff. 1.600
Latvia Jelgava Coeff. 1.600
Bosnia and Herzegovina Olimpic Coeff. 1.500
Faroe Islands NSÍ Runavík Coeff. 1.450
Andorra Sant Julià Coeff. 1.416
Lithuania Atlantas Coeff. 1.400
Northern Ireland Glenavon Coeff. 1.225
Republic of Ireland Cork City Coeff. 1.150
Republic of Ireland UCD Coeff. 1.150
Lithuania Kruoja Pakruojis Coeff. 1.150
San Marino La Fiorita Coeff. 1.099
Wales Airbus UK Broughton Coeff. 1.075
Albania Partizani Tirana Coeff. 1.075
Luxembourg Progrès Niederkorn Coeff. 1.025
Lithuania Trakai Coeff. 0.900
Latvia Spartaks J?rmala Coeff. 0.850
Malta Balzan Coeff. 0.841
Wales Bala Town Coeff. 0.825
San Marino Juvenes/Dogana Coeff. 0.599
Wales Newtown Coeff. 0.575
Armenia Alashkert Coeff. 0.550
Gibraltar College Europa Coeff. 0.300
Poland Runners-up or third-placed team of 2014–15 Ekstraklasa
Poland Fourth-placed team of 2014–15 Ekstraklasa
So which team do you fancy for a little European tour in the first round?
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West Ham manager search focused on Marcelo Bielsa as top target Unai Emery closes on the Napoli job
22:30, 1 JUNE 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
Ex-Hammer Slaven Bilic remains the bookies' favourite but Upton Park chiefs have the Marseille boss above him on their shopping list
The Mirror
West Ham are set to step up their interest in Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa with their move for Europa League-winning Sevilla coach Unai Emery under threat. The Hammers are targeting a big name to replace Sam Allardyce, who left by mutual consent last month. Having seen Rafa Benitez - with whom they had agreed a deal - poached by Real Madrid, however, they are now being challenged for Emery's services by the club that Benitez is poised to leave, Napoli. It is understood Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is set to meet with Emery and his agent to persuade him to move to Serie A instead of the Premier League. The West Ham position, nonetheless, remains an attractive one and Mirror Sport first revealed last week that Argentinian Bielsa, whose Marseille side were narrowly beaten to a Champions League place, is keen. The east Londoners have never discounted the 59-year-old, despite claims that he is poised for a new deal at his French club.
Bookies' favourite and former Hammers star Slaven Bilic has confirmed his next job will be outside Turkey after leaving Besiktas at the end of the season. But neither he nor another of the names touted for the post, Ajax coach Frank De Boer, are uppermost in the thinking of the West Ham hierarchy.
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West Ham's Enner Valencia welcomes Chelsea transfer interest ahead of potential big-money move
22:30, 1 JUNE 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
Ecuador striker will decide his future after this month's Copa America and said "if it is for my good and that of West Ham then it is welcome"
The Mirror
West Ham forward Enner Valencia has claimed he will decide his future after this month's Copa America, amid interest from Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Ecuador star said: "We are going to see what happens after the Copa America - a competition in which I think we are going to do good things. "I have heard of the [interest from] Chelsea, yes. And other teams. But we are going to wait. You have to see what happens. "If it is for my good and that of West Ham, then it is welcome."
The Copa America begins on June 11 and runs until July 4. Ecuador kick off their group stage campaign against Chile on the opening day before playing Bolivia and Mexico. West Ham, however, insist Valencia - signed only last summer for £12million from Mexican club Pachuca - is going nowhere. The east Londoners remain relaxed in the knowledge that the player is on a five-year contract and that only a massive offer would tempt them into allowing him to leave Upton Park.
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Pulis aims to 'Baggie' Nene!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Nene is tonight being reported as being possibly set for a move to West Bromwich Albion. ESPN has said that the former Paris St Germain forward – who will not be offered a new Upton Park deal – could be on his way to the west midlands. They say that West Brom boss Tony Pulis is weighing up a move" for the 33-year-old who made just eight appearances at Upton Prk under Sam Allardyce's management.
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Valencia gets a "start performing" message
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Enner Valencia has been warned that he needs to perform for West Ham before he starts talking up a possible move to Chelsea. The striker went public on his Facebook page today, as we reported earlier, claiming he had heard of the Chelsea connection declaring: "If it is good for me and for West Ham, welcome it is!" However, there was a quick reaction from the club of mixed amusement and mild frustration with a top insider speaking for many. He said: "It sounds very much to me as if this is the case of a player believing press reports which are total rubbsh anyway – there has been no bid. "If Enner wants a big money move I think it would be realistic to expect him to start performing for West Ham United."
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De Boer staying at Ajax says agent
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Frank de Boer's agent Guido Albers has all-but ruled out the chances of the Dutch manager leaving Ajax this summer.
Albers told Dutch media "Frank has agreed that he will remain at Ajax next year. Only when Ajax itself indicates they no longer want him will other clubs come into the picture."
This morning Sky Sports claimed De Boer is one of four names on West Ham managerial shortlist ahead of next season.
Two days ago West Ham club insiders revealed to Claret and Hugh that the 45 year old is seen as as a gamble given that the Dutch League is among the weakest in Europe.
Admitting there was an interest, our source revealed added that it would be "entirely wrong" to put him among the front runners.
The source added: "Obviously he plays the kind of football very much associated with this club and has won titles in Holland but it's not unlike the Scottish League. How much does that mean? It would be a gamble."
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Irons look at two more boss candidates
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
West Ham have considered an application from former Watford boss Slaviša Jokanović (above right) as their hunt for the new man continues.
And although he is an unlikely candidate, Eddie Howe still hasn't been entirely ruled out. However the club is still essentially looking for candidates with Premier League experience. Former Chelsea midfielder Jokanović led Watford to promotion last season but has left Vicarage Road reportedly after unable being able to agree new terms. He had been appointed on a short term contract when becoming their fourth coach in five weeks. Under him the club sealed promotion with a 2–0 win at Brighton. An insider admitted that he had been put forward but told us exclsuively: " It's such an important year that we have to get the appointment spot on. It could be seen as a gamble."
Eddie Howe's name has never been far from the front tier of candidates but the lack of Premier League experience remains a problem.
We were told: "He's a great young manager who has done a remarkable job at Bournemouth. Is he ready for life in the Premier League at West Ham ? That's a big question isn't it? Howe last year extended his Cherries contract until 2018 and around £2 million would be required in compensation were he to join the Irons.
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Benitez arrives in Madrid
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Rafael Benitez has arrived in Madrid, less than 24 hours after overseeing his final game in charge of Napoli which he lost 4-2 to Lazio.
Benitez is expected to be named the new Real Madrid coach this week. "I am enthusiastic and happy," Benitez told the Spanish press upon his arrival in the capital. "Although there are things that still need to be discussed," he said. It is claimed that Real Madrid hijacked a deal for Rafa Benitez with whom the Hammers were said to be within a couple of hours from reaching an agreement with.
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Klopp confirms sabattical
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he'll take a sabbatical until further notice telling media this morning "I will take a break until further notice, after seven intense and emotional years of 'Real Love', I consider it sensible to process all these memories until I'm fresh and full of motivation to take on a new task, together with my team."
Two days ago we reported that West Ham were refusing to give up on persuading Klopp to join West Ham but now it appears his mind is made up to have a break from football.
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Upbeat Carroll tweets good news
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Andy Carroll appears to be very much on the mend and stepping up his training regime.
The striker tweeted an upbeat message giving hope that he could be back in action for the opening Europa Cup matches in July.
He wrote: "Great start to the week with a sunny session at Chadwell Heath."
He has been out of action since he underwent a knee operation back in February having suffered medial ligament damage against Southampton.
Should he be fit, the front man is almost certain to play as the Hammers would see the games as a perfect way of getting him up to full fitness.
The club kicks off its campaign on July 2.
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Emery in talks with Napoli president
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 1, 2015 in Whispers
C AND H
Spanish media say Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis boarded a flight to Madrid this morning in an attempt to secure the signing of Sevilla coach and West Ham target, Unai Emery to manage in Serie A next season.
De Lauerntiis and his right hand man, Andrea Chiavelli, will meet later this evening with Emery and his agent, Jorge Mendes, with the intention of convincing the Basque coach of a move to the San Paolo will further his career.
Emery will have to renounce Champions League football after Sevilla's win in last week's Europa League Following last night's 2-4 defeat to Lazio, Napoli will have to settle for Europa League football next season. If Emery isn't persuaded to join Napoli, then the next candidate in line For Napoli is said to be Serbian, Sinisa Mihajlovic, who today resigned as Sampdoria coach.
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Monday, June 1
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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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