Glenn Roeder, a boyhood supporter of West Ham United, was named caretaker manager of the club in the aftermath of Harry Redknapp’s sacking, losing the final match of the 2000/01 season 2-1 at Middlesbrough. By the start of the following campaign, Roeder had been named permanent manager after approaches for Alan Curbishley and Steve McClaren had proved unsuccessful. David Moyes and Alex McLeish had also been linked with the position.
Roeder, who had previously managed Gillingham and Watford and been a coach under Glenn Hoddle with England, finished seventh in his first season but the failure to improve the squad led to a downturn in form in 2002/03 – only Gary Breen (free transfer) and Edouard Cisse (loan) were brought in over the summer of 2002. The Hammers were second from bottom in mid-February 2003 but a six-game unbeaten run led to a key match at Bolton in mid-April – the Irons lost the match 1-0, meaning a miracle would be required to stay in the top flight. The next match, an Easter Monday home encounter with Middlesbrough was won by a goal to nil, but events after the match overshadowed the result – Roeder takes up the tale himself in the video below.
Trevor Brooking took caretaker charge, winning two matches, at Man City and at home against Chelsea. Needing to better Bolton’s result on the final day, the Irons drew 2-2 at Birmingham whilst Bolton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium. Roeder returned to the dugout in the First Division at the start of the 2003/04 season, winning the opening game 2-1 at Preston and beating Rushden & Diamonds in the League Cup at Upton Park. A goalless draw at the Boleyn against Sheffield United was followed by a 1-0 loss at Rotherham. Roeder was sacked the next day. He has since managed Newcastle and Norwich, and also worked at Sheffield Wednesday and Stevenage.
In this interview with Maxine Mawhinney, Glenn Roeder discusses the day he collapsed with a brain tumour, the pressures of management and the current state of the game. A caption early in the piece introduces Roeder as a singer/performer but, apart from that, it’s an interesting watch.