It could be true. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...manager-Sam-Allardyce-to-quit-Upton-Park.html
I don't know Stompa, the list is a long one, but it shouldn't be too difficult to attract someone who shows more interest in the club than the fat man.
Hi guys, back on after a while. Hope everyone is well. I too hope that this is the swansong of the hippo headed one, it is just so tiresome seeing Sam playing Nolan and Cole when more mobile alternatives are available. They have all been stalwarts when we were fighting to get back to the Premier League and managing to stay there, but the glimpse we had of a more fluid playing style in those dim and distant first few months seems like forever ago. It seems unlikely that Mr Klopp will be coming to us, which is a real shame I think. He is just the kind of quirky character who would have fitted in well and I think the fans would love him. If we had managed to maintain some kind of form to keep near the top 6, I feel we might have had a chance to lure him, especially with the advent of the OS and potentially more money to spend with the new TV deal. Judging by what's being banded about in the press, it looks as if we won't be able to get Moyes or Howe either. I get that, it seems unlikely that either of them could be enticed away. I'd be more likely to try and get Rafa, although he will probably want to spend and I'm not sure our budget would be to his liking. Perhaps Bilic, he is another character who is likely to get the fans behind him. I don't think I want McLaren, although he's had some success with the dutch league and Middlesbrough before that. The failures with England and latterly Derby just put me off. So I'm gonna plump for Slaven Bilic. What do others think?
The thing is with Klopp, someone is bound to mention the war! I mean when we moe to the new stadium there must be a sign somewhere saying "Slum clearance by A. Hitler" Howe won't come and Moyes looks like he wants to stay in Spain. Benitez has a great record but seems uninspiring Bilic? I don't get the love fest. How long did he stay with us? Is he really any good?
I know what you mean Stompa re Bilic. I remember how peed off I was that he was tempted by Everton's filthy lucre, but it's now become so commonplace that nothing surprises me any more. I believe he does still hold our club with affection though, and he seems the type to be able to have a good rapport with the supporters. Not really sure about Laudrup, the reason for him leaving Swansea has never been fully explained (I probably just missed it). I was quite upset we didn't get Koeman, especially since he's done so well at Southampton. Perhaps we could try the Dutch route, maybe Rijkaard or De Boer? I'm sure they would like to play the purist's way.
Would not want Koeman if he was the last manager in the world. Along with a German referee he cheated England out of a World Cup place when he pulled Platt down when he was clean through on goal. Some of us have long memories (or is it because we are old ahem Claret?!)
Someone that can play an attractive style and recognizes when players like Cole, Nolan, etc. are useless and not scared of a using a youth player here and there. Easy right?
Allardyce has also been linked to Sunderland. I have a sneaking suspicion that Curbishley will manage Fulham, given he's been coaching there in the run in and has a previous relationship with the chairman/owner.
So Rafa Benitez has now been linked to Real Madrid. I keep feeling as though when the music stops, we'll be left without a chair.
Kevin Nolans first job in management. With Carlton Cole as striking coach. We'll see the chicken dance in the technical area
AND all the staff are moving on. Poisonous Ted's gone to Stevenage, McDonald is talking to Blackpool, Hendon has been linked with Orient. If Sam is let go, Steve Potts is the most senior member of our coaching team within two weeks, I guarantee it. Not that I would be averse to Pottsy having a crack at it but, let's face it, our board place experience as their main criteria for appointment. The real issue for me is that, despite his flaws, I'm not sure who can replace him based on their criteria. They want Moyes but he won't come and I don't know a single West Ham fan who wants him. Uninspiring and dull, those with long memories will remember him playing 11 men behind the ball at home in 2006 against us for Everton, eventually winning by smashing long balls with the wind in the second half. These shoot-the-moon appointments are being lined up by more glamorous suitors; Benitez to Real Madrid, Klopp to Fenerbahce. I haven't heard a sensible suggestion, Bilic in particular looks to be a disaster waiting to happen. Pulis has been considered due to his availability this summer but apparently rejected due to style of play, though I think part of what pisses fans off about Allardyce isn't necessarily the style of football but his disingenuousness and deflection of blame. Last year in particularly, his teams would boot it the whole game and yet he'd suggest otherwise in the press conference. Villas Boas has come out of nowhere, his price having dipped heavily on the betting exchanges. For me, it's a non-starter, not because of his Spurs and Chelsea connections but because it's all "clever" tactics, 4-3-3s with inverted wingers and crouching on the touchline like you're having a shit in the woods because you were caught short on the way back from the pub. Do you really want to see Matt Jarvis on the right, cutting in to play through balls to Andy Carroll? Vastly overrated pretty boy, his Zenit St Petersburg side have been heavily criticised. If it were me, I'd go for an honest Brit that has been liked and respected at every club he has been involved with. He can coach and play whatever style you're looking for, has done very well with both small budgets and big expectations. An honourable guy who would walk away if he couldn't do the job or take the club to the next level but whose niceness is steeled with a ruthless edge. Problem is, that man is former Millwall manager Kenny Jackett. And I can't see him taking it if offered and I couldn't see West Ham fans accepting him if he did. However, that's who I'd realistically go for.
Great post Mikey. I dont know anything about Jackett but it sounds like you do, but he doesnt seem to fit the boards criteria of a club trying to reach the highest level or the fans now inflated expectations. I also do not buy into not touching anything with Millwall connections, ( Sherringham ). For me BFS has serious faults but he has many strengths too, either way he is gone for sure. I just do not see a big name coming to us now and i fear getting dumped with a second tier choice aka McLaren.
I reckon McLaren or Steve Bruce. Frankly I dont fancy either but I'd rather have the former than the latter.
@LAIrons - thanks. I rate Jackett, I like the cut of Sean Dyche's jib too, though he's been very direct this year with Burnley. McClaren might be available, as press reports suggest that Derby's board are split on him, some feeling the Newcastle speculation unsettled the squad towards the end of the season. @WestHamUtdFC - Clement has absolutely no experience. It's not the Gold/Sullivan way. They appointed four managers at Birmingham and two here. Barry Fry was experienced (20 years+) at a lower level, Trevor Francis had four years and a 3rd placed Premier League finish behind him, Steve Bruce was the hot young manager of the time had three years and three promotion challenges behind him, McLeish was vastly successful in Scotland, Avram Grant had won four Israeli titles and had managed for 20+ years at various levels, Allardyce had been managing on-and-off for 20 years with relative success wherever he went by the time they appointed him. That's the profile. Looking beyond the obvious reasons - underachieving relative to the money we spent, difficult relationship with the fans and the board, the constant reversion to a dull and cagey style of play - I can't help but come back to Ravel Morrison. Ravel has long arranged a move to Lazio but he remains a favourite of the board, especially David Gold. He was in the side, doing well, knuckling down and then he disappeared. There was this article in the Guardian about how Allardyce had pressured him into signing with his agent Mark Curtis and, when he didn't, froze him out. I can't help but think that this damaged Allardyce in their eyes, in the same way that Redknapp's closeness to Willie McKay did with Terry Brown. I don't really follow football beyond the Premier League, Football League and, given I now live in Madrid, what Real and Atleti do. I look at English football and I think there are candidates but, again, I don't understand the vision of the board. Essentially, it's all about staying in the division but no manager, not even Allardyce, guarantees that until we get into the Olympic Stadium.
Im not against AVB. Had Spurs best win% for a coach when he was fired and got Bale to become the most expensive player ever. Id take Rodgers too if he gets canned. Great with Swansea and brought Liverpool back up.
I hate Brendan Rodgers - overrated, PR-driven phoney. Harry's available... I kid, I kid. And Bale was pretty handy before AVB got there.
To me its not too exciting yet. He failed at Lokomotiv and was sacked after a year, when they finished 9th; their worst finish ever. He finished third twice for Besiktas, but thats basically where they finish every year, always rotating around the top four. The fans loved him, so I guess that says something. He did well for Croatia. Nothing exciting like Emery or De Boer, but should be an upgrade over Big Sam as far as tactics.
Very good appointment in my book, plus he's passionate about the club and the style of football that he would like to see played, the total opposite of Allardyce.
Looking at this, there are two sides. They've appointed somebody who wants to manage West Ham, for whom it isn't a step down and somebody who wants to show passion towards the club. A manager known for his engagement with the fans, loved in Besiktas and with the Croatian team. However, there are still doubts over his actual coaching and managerial abilities and the feeling that he is more style than substance. Personally, I'm a little underwhelmed and my feeling is that it will end badly and quickly.