Five candidates to lead West Ham next year
The tabloids are full of speculation over who will succeed Avram Grant as the 14th manager in West Ham's history after the Israeli's sacking following their relegation from the Premier League. We've thumbed through the newspapers and compiled a list of five of the most fancied...
Steve McClaren ([4.1])
England fans may disagree but McClaren's record in club management is probably strong enough to justify a Premier League job, however the newspapers are talking up the former Middlesbrough boss as a frontrunner for the Boleyn Ground gig. His lack of Championship experience counts against him.
Chris Hughton ([5.1])
Hughton is in many ways the obvious choice as a former West Ham man who has guided a relegated side up as champions at the first attempt. The only real question mark is that as the Newcastle job was his first managerial role, it remains unclear whether he could achieve similar success elsewhere.
Alan Curbishley ([16.5])
Curbishley wasn't too popular in his first stint in charge of the Irons but he was fairly successful and has never truly failed as a coach, even if his supposed pragmatic approach has earned him criticism. He hasn't worked since his constructive dismissal three years ago though, which is a slight concern.
Gus Poyet ([11.0])
The Brighton boss has claimed that he has no interest in abandoning the Seagulls and quite possibly wouldn't for another team in the same division, while despite his impressive season in League One, West Ham supporters have probably had their fill of foreign tacticians with a Chelsea background!
Paolo Di Canio ([16.0])
The terrace idol has had his name chanted throughout the campaign in apparent defiance at Avram Grant's continued reign, yet it's unlikely that many fans will truly want a rookie to lead them during one of the toughest periods in their recent history, especially after the Gianfranco Zola experiment.
Who have we missed out? Who should they turn to? Have your say below...
Published: 16 May 2011
Jim Clarke (May 16, 2011 11:05 AM) said:
Martin Jol must be a candidate surely? And Martin O'Neil isn't mentioned by you despite being the fans choice at present.
chris gunnell (May 16, 2011 11:15 AM) said:
Give George Graham a call.....he would still be ten times better than all the muppets you have mentioned
Paul (May 16, 2011 2:56 PM) said:
Word from the north-east is that Gareth Southgate is looking to return to London and is interested in the West Ham job.
Betfair Football (May 16, 2011 3:56 PM) said:
Thanks for the comments. Jim, the lack of mention for O'Neill was primarily as we remain unconvinced as to how realistic a candidate he is, and at the time of writing he wasn't one of the leading contenders in the betting. Cheers for mentioning him though.
SLY CADE (May 24, 2011 11:38 PM) said:
What about a partnership of,"Tony Cottee & Julian Dicks.This has been over looked by everyone,with their individual skills of "Attacking & Defensive" combinations.