This morning ‘s edition of The Sun contains a story alleging that Steve Clarke has now followed Zola out of the door at Upton Park, pending the negotiation of a financial settlement.
The report quotes an unnamed Hammers ‘insider’ as alleging that the 17th place finish sealed the former management team’s fate and that the decks have now been cleared for the new manager to bring in his own assistant.
The story also states with some certainty that Avram Grant will be unveiled as the club’s new manager on 2 June 2010.
The Sun claim the reporting of Steve Clarke’s exit as an exclusive. Certainly, by way of a caveat, it has to be acknowledged that this is currently an isolated report. We can now only await an official statement of confirmation or denial to be posted on the club website. As for the 2 June 2010 press conference, we shall just have to wait and see? No doubt, wherever possible, we will all be keeping a close eye on SSN that particular day?
SJ. Chandos.
It is reported that the backroom staff from Pompey are coming with Avram,hope they improve on last season,s effort!
The Express report states Spurs have priced O'Hara out of our range at £6m – I don't think thats unreasonable for a quality young player given that at least one of our 'stars' will probably leave for more than that
If we were going to pay 4million for dorrans who is unproven then 6mill for o'hara a proven premiership player seems worth it to me.
But in saying that I wouldnt pay 6million for o'hara. He is quality but not for that price.
So they want £6M for a player that they let go out on loan? Hmmmmm. Have to agree with you Salesh – can't see anyone paying that. Then again if Avram does sign with us he might make O'hara a priority.
At one stage I thought that he might become our new manager. I like his style, especially his no-nonsense approach to the media, and am sure that he'll become a very good first team gaffer in time.
This news might be another indication that the appointment of the new boss is a done deal.
Alternatively this report (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/177228/Avram-… ) in the Express suggests Clarke's staying for the time being.
Hmm who to believe The Current Bun or The Express, thats actually quite a tough one!
not tough at all…the Express is, without doubt, the poorest, misinformed, poorly written paper in the market.
End of….
I thought I read that about 2-3 days ago… and word was that Alvin Martin was coming in with Grant as coach?
Or did I dream that after a weekend fuelled with all sorts of alcoholic beverages…
I can't believe Franco has gone… that is shocking. he was one of our better players last season and tore Ledley King and Rio new arseholes during that first half at Wembley.
He's experienced, can hold it up, good in the air, can finish and actually cares – they better have some good signings lined up!
Rumours are around Wade Elliot…… do me a favour… hardly young, talented and hungry is he!
Hury up get Avram in and make the signings early so they can settle in quickly and have the full preseason with the squad – i've got a feeling it will be last minute and we will all be dissapointed
I'll miss Franco as well, Frankie. A really intelligent player who was something different to anything else we've got.
When Wade Elliot is linked to the club its the silly season!!
Franco i loved him. He provided good link up play with Cole, but sadly I dont think he has the strength and fitness for the EPL to play 30 odd games.
Whether Clarke has gone is a moot point. If he hasn't he surely will within a short space of time. I guess the compo will have an effect on exactly when.
In terms of transfer targets it's always worth a look at players from the clubs who have been relegated but it would seem like slim pickings this year.
There's nobody at Hull I'd particularly want (Bullard, maybe, if he was fit and didn't earn £45k a week), The only two at Burnley worth a look at are Fletcher who impressed me when we played them, and possibly Eagles – but not really sure about him. Portsmouth have a few, most of whom have already been mentioned. Prince-Boateng, O'Hara and Bel Hadj would seem to be the pick. I think James would be a backward step.
I see Birmingham have got Zigic for 6 million and Dindane is off to Qatar…someone at West Ham has been asleep, two great buys for very little cash! Shame!
Amy Grant is to be the new manager, with Alvin and the Chipmunks as backroom staff? Stephanie Cole sold for £15m, with Parker and Lady Penelope retained as midfield lynchpins, with Al Green in goal and Phil Spector, Sam Costa and The Man from Del Monte forming the backbone of the rest of the team.
Andrew Gold and Peter O'Sullevan are the new owners.
ARRGGGHHHHHH!!!! It's all a terrible nightmare.
The thumbs are back!
But which is better? With thumbs or without thumbs? There's only one way to find out …
Personally I like the fact I just received a point for that comment! haha
Am surprised at Grant, presuming he is coming in, not willing to work with Clrake, presuming he has been sacked considering they took a team to a champions league final together.
Am aslo surprised how many people want to sign a raft of players from a team who sank without a trace and who have been finished bottom of the table even without the points deduction, which I think gave them a means of covering up a truely dismal season.
We seem to want to sign more players from Pompey than we reckon we have had players who had a good season for us this year.
The only player who would have stood out as a good signing is O'Hara and we have been put off by the price tag.
Clarke was on 900k a year…Grant's No2 will be lucky to pull in half that.
Simple math, Celts. Plus, Clarke proved to be very limited in his talents in the first big job of his career.
to be honest what did clarke really doi thought he was brought in to help zola cos of his experience and also to hlp out with the defence,well he hardly did either did he.oh yes franco leaving,would anyone else rather see mido,ilan,mccarthy go before him
I really liked Franco, shame he's going. Mido & Mccarthy definatley worse then Franco so surely they are off too (maybe they cant fit thier fat asses out the door!). I think thats a bit harsh on Ilan though, he scored some vital goals in the run in. Anyway as long as they bring in better replacements im happy.
SEH, I agree with you about Franco. I thought he would have been worth another year.
Scott Parker Will not be sold by West Ham this summer………….unless someone offers enough dosh.
Everyone has thier price i suppose.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues…
I second Celtics post about buying all the Pompy players. People seem to missed the fact they finished bottom and they sucked with both managers this season. Sure a few good performances here and there from a few of them, but not enough to purchase and fill.
As for getting people from burnley and hull, again, the same point.
The O'hara thing?, yeah he's a tottenham player, who made portsmouth look good. He's no better than parker or noble though, and those 2 are likely to start ahead of him (assuming he plays CM)
I wish we could just get some confirmed news on WHUFC about Clarke because as it stands for me, he is still with West Ham as nothing has been confirmed, i do my best to ignore the papers and wait for confirmation. Would also like confirmation of our new manager soon aswel whoever it may be so we can then get into the transfer market and bring some quality players in.
still nothing from the club??? useless.
Well, maybe nothing has happened.
Not sure what the delay is with the odd announcement, but as always it's bloody frustrating isn't it!!
Oh to be a Hammers fan….always suffering!!!