All change in battle for the West Ham job
After a week in which Chris Hughton has been the almost uninterrupted market leader to be named the 14th manager of West Ham, there is suddenly a new favourite that is far from certain to set the pulses of supporters racing, Cardiff boss Dave Jones.
The former Southampton and Wolves chief, who has endured three straight promotion near misses with the Bluebirds, has plenty of Championship experience and successfully got out of the division once with Wolves, and that has reportedly made him the preferred choice of the Irons board.
Sky Sports claim to understand that he is the number one target for co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold and that suggestion has turned Betfair's market on the matter upside down, with Jones being backed all the way in to [2.84] having at one stage traded at [32.0].
Hughton, who of course finished first in his one and only Championship campaign in the Newcastle dugout, has drifted out to [4.5] while the only other candidate available at single figures is Sam Allardyce at [6.2], though doubts remain as to whether he would consider the job beneath him.
Alex McLeish had gained plenty of support on Sunday night and Monday morning following Birmingham's relegation from the Premier League but the Blues' decision to stay loyal to the Scot following his second demotion in four seasons has caused his price to go all the way out to [14.5].
Martin O'Neill has moved in slightly to [11.0] yet the most interesting thing of all is that the idea of Carlo Ancelotti following Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea with West Ham refuses to go away not matter how absurd it sounds. The Italian tactician is still the sixth favourite at odds of [19.0].
Would Jones be an uninspiring appointment? Is it a smokescreen? Tell us below...
Published: 24 May 2011
Dave (May 24, 2011 7:33 AM) said:
If Dave Jones is appointed as manager, I will end my 30 year association with the club as a fan. I'd rather support Millwall.
Nicholas Harvey (May 24, 2011 7:44 AM) said:
Oh here we f****** go again. Another s*** manager at our club. These owners are clueless! Dave Jones is a failure! He had the best team in the championship and still couldn't gat promoted. No NO NO! None of the west ham fans want him. Look on facebook and all the fanzines. NOBODY wants him. Our owners are killing our great club. I'm f****** furious! We need allardyce or Oneill!!!! F*** off Jones!
steve withers (May 24, 2011 9:36 AM) said:
Have to agree with the earlier comments. Why would we want a manager who has failed 3 times to gain promotion from the championship? For half of last season Cardiff were vying for top spot with Swansea. And threw it away. Even with Bellamy on board. He failed to get the best from the players. Exactly the same as Grant at West Ham. I'm not a great fan of Big Sam, and his style of play leaves a lot to be desired. But he's the right man for us in this situation. I just hope that Sully realises this and does the right thing. It will cost him dear if we fail to bounce back at the first time of asking.
chris (May 24, 2011 6:04 PM) said:
no way
Michael Khoury (May 24, 2011 9:59 PM) said:
I for one am absolutely disgusted with the possible mooted signing of Dave Jones as the next manager of West Ham. Having been a season ticket holder for the best part of over 10 years now, I can safely say that I will not be renewing for the season (or more)in the championship. If we appoint a manager like this, who may have experience of the Championship, but always falls at the last hurdle, then I feel that West Ham could be destined for 3, maybe more seasons in the Championship, and be subjected to boring football at Upton Park. Take a long, hard look at yourselves Gold, Sullivan, and Brady, and look what you're doing to our club, the fans' club, and realise what a mess you have now put us in... Come on You Irons! New owners needed, aong with a fresh cash injection, and a talented, young manager.
paul turner (May 25, 2011 2:49 AM) said:
it has to be martin o'neil he is a quality manager and would gain the respect of the players in the team and i think would get us back in the premier league a whole lot quicker than dave jones who to be fair has done nothing with cardiff.G & S if they are true fans should listen to who the fans want in charge. C O Y I